#oh is it because there were too many comments last round? there was too much for you to review? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kaeddehara · 1 year

Text

EX BOYFRIENDS — NSFW

kaeya + heizou + cyno

♱ warnings | nsfw content, slight hate sex (kaeya/heizou), jealou sex (cyno), breeding, size kink(kaeya), implied sir/general kink(cyno/kaeya), bondage(heizou) |

♱ notes | kinda lazy posting cause i’m been so busy with work and school; also just sad cause i haven’t seen my boyfriend in 2 weeks ;( |

| KAEYA |

“k-kaeya slow down”,

you struggled out as he roughly continues taking off your clothing. the smell of alcohol distinct on his breath even when he so much as breathed next to you. all of this was wrong, every single aspect about it. but it’s not like either of you cared right? just a quick fuck for both of you right?

“you look just how i remembered you, pretty thing”

he teased while pulling at your hair, causing your back to arch at an almost painful state. not like it mattered though not when the feeling of his girthy cock filling you up over and over again made you overwhelmed with pleasure. kaeya always had such a tender touch even with how rough and often times uncaring it seemed, you could tell he did it out of the feelings he had for you. he noticed you drifted off a bit thinking his pace wasn’t enough for you and graping at your hips with ease. pulling you on his cock and making you take every last inch inside your tight, sensitive pussy.

“god so big…”

“bet you missed it didn’t you sweetheart?”

you could only bite your lip and nod in agreement, letting kaeya manhandle you just how you both like. you couldn’t even think. not when you’re getting pounded by your drunk ex who doesn’t know when to quit. his stamina was unmatched in every way, you couldn’t even imagine how debauched and ruined you’d be after the captain was finished with you.

“slow down sir kaeya”

as if on cue, he slowed. not because you asked but more because of that damn pet name only you would call him in bed.

“don’t call me that”

“come on kae i know you like it”

he huffed at your annoying comments, still making himself at home inside of you. and god it was so easy to do so. all of it he remembered so clearly and if it wasn’t until now, he may have just had to keep imagining you in hopes it would be somewhat adequate to the rest thing. even down to how you smelled, he missed it all. everything. maybe it was the alcohol talking, but a sudden twinge of regret and conflicting feelings mixed each other up inside kaeyas mind.

“just shut up and take it”

after the many rounds kaeya went through with you, you both found each other lying next to one another in his bed. you’d long since pass out from how tiring it all was, mentally and physically. although kaeya was exhausted too, he couldn’t help but continue to think about you. kaeya wishes he could just talk with you just so you could see eye to eye. maybe a talk over some breakfast cooked by him in the morning would do <3.

| HEIZOU |

“you couldn’t even go a couple of months without this huh?”

heizou jeered at you in an attempt to rile you up. he was oh so good at that. making you reach a certain breaking point which how badly he got into your head.

“s-shut up already..”

you weakly replied back, hair messy and face slicked with sweat. he smirked at your response, only tugging your cuffed hands which were placed behind your back towards him. your body lifting up in the process of him pulling you so harshly.

“i even tied you up just how you like and you still wanna tell me to shut up?”

a loud array of whines and protests escaped from your lips as his thick cock continued to roughly pound you over his work desk. such a dirty place to do it and even then, why not let you come in to his office and let him relieve some stress. it’s no surprise you both missed doing this within the privacy of heizous office.

a loud slap could be heard soon after he asked you that question. his hand leaving a red mark on the fat of your ass just to get something out of you. we’re you always this stubborn when you were with him?

“just because we’re not together doesn’t mean you don’t get to listen to me slut”

“you never stop talking…”

your head was dizzy and only filled with thoughts of getting fucked stupid your obnoxious ex. it wasn’t like heizou wanted anything more than just this right?

“ah-fuck that feels so much better than i remembered…”

he groaned in a low tone after cumming deep inside your tight pussy. not even bothering to pull out cause he knows you love getting filled with more cum than you could take. he patted at your side, touching you so gently even after all the things he said and rough treatment he gave your pussy.

“let’s get you to bed, we can talk later alright?”

| CYNO |

the quiet room of his office wasn’t so quiet anymore with the constant sound of hips hitting yours. back laid out on his desk making his papers all messy and join the other items once adjourning his desk on the floor. not that cyno cared though. all the mattered in the moment was you, you, you. cyno couldn’t even make himself look up at your face, not with the shame in his heart what would probably be written all over his face if he did look into your sweet, tear ridden eyes.

“she’s not my new girl, i could never replace you even if i tried”

your face contorted into a shocked one while silence filled the space. cyno was taken aback too by his sudden confession but that didn’t stop him from continuing to fuck you, head piece covering his eyes so neither of you could see the shame written on his face.

“you mean that cy?”

he huffed as small, low growls escaped his throat at the feeling of your warmth engulfing all of the thick, sensitive veins his cock missed.

you both were referring to the conversation you both had after you met cyno outside the academia. seeing him earlier with another woman his age, you didn’t know why it drove you insane other than the fact that she was with cyno and not you.

“just focus on this alright?”

he whined out as he rutted even harder into you as to not allow you to respond to him. faster and faster until he knew you were about to cum. he heard what sounded like a giggle come from your lips. we’re you laughing at him?

“sure thing, general”

cyno clenched his fists at the title. he knew what kind of game you were playing, honeying your words up to tease him after he’d had a long day. almost reminded him of what you used to do when you’re together…didn’t matter though.

he remembers exactly how you sound when you do. taking his hand off your waist, he rubs his thumb gently against your clit to help you out. your hands grip onto his lean arms, nails digging into his pretty tan skin.

“fuck cyno—i’m gonna-!”

you cut yourself off as you came with a sudden rush, your body twitching and spasming around his while he pushed himself in to a hilt. you huffed yourself back down and gained some control back over your body after an orgasm you’d hadn’t felt in weeks. and in that moment, cyno looked at your face. how pretty you looked in the afterglow and how much he missed taking in that look and kissing your lips after.

“didn’t want to cum inside cyno?”

you asked, disappointingly. cyno snapped back to the reality before sighing at your question and looking down at where you both were connected. noticing the thick, creamy halo around the bottom of his cock.

“i wouldn’t want myself getting addicted to that feeling again”

#kaeddehara #genshin smut #kaeya smut #heizou smut #cyno smut #kaeyas milkies #heizou shikanoin x reader #kaeya x reader #genshin x reader #genshin men #genshin imagines #rumi : masterlist 🌀#☕️#🗡

2K notes · View notes

meimi-haneoka · 3 months

Text

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Special Chapter: Comments and Analysis

WELCOME BACK, CCS FAAAAAAAAAAAANSSS!!!!!

Oh my god 3 months went already by from that December 1st and chapter 80, didn't they?? Feels like yesterday 🙈But we're finally here, finally ready for the release of the definitive, last SPECIAL CHAPTER of Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card!!!! After this, no more CCS for at least a while!!

Why do you see me so euphoric?? WELL, THERE IS MORE THAN ONE VERY GOOD REASON 😂 But let's not jump the gun and let's introduce this post properly: this time around, I won't be posting pictures to "illustrate" the analysis/commentary, because this special chapter was treated differently from the other ones. It didn't get, in fact, a free release on CLAMP's Youtube channel, in any language, and wasn't even uploaded for digital purchase on Comic Days like all the rest of the chapters. The only way to obtain it was via the April issue of Nakayoshi, either with the physical or digital version. Since it is clear to me their intention to keep this gem of a special chapter away from the internet jungle, and since lately I used only the screenshots from Youtube to illustrate my analysis, this time around I won't be posting anything (aside from the color page, which was released by the official account themselves).

AND! I won't be mixing analysis and summary, because I have already conveniently prepared some screenshots with a detailed summary of the chapter for the people who were curious to know, but didn't get to see the chapter yet or did see it but couldn't read Japanese. I have already posted these screenshots on my Twitter account, and I'll put them here too under the cut (please don't repost them around or in other social media), so you can immediately get a broad view on the content of the chapter (I don't have to point out translation mistakes, haha 😅), and then, afterwards, I'll write my commentary. And there is SO MUCH to say!!

But before starting, we can't break the tradition right at the LAST ROUND of our chapter commentaries, right?? So off we go, with the GIF OF THE MONTH!!

Yes, I think this is the GIF that can represent this chapter the most. 😂

The Color Page

This special chapter is composed of 33 pages, and of course I can't avoid starting my commentary precisely from the color page!!

I admit it, I hoped for a color spread with the four main characters of Clear Card (hence, including Kaito and Akiho too), but since the other two appeared with their own color page just in chapter 79, we'll gladly take this single color page with SyaoSaku too!! ❤️ The JP text reads "We've been together till now, and we will always be! Featuring a long-awaited special chapter!!" Syaosaku look absolutely adorable....and so, so happy!! Looking at us, from a wreath made of cherry blossoms, of course dressed in their image colors pink and green, in a "pair look"...I think their shiny smiles conquered the hearts of the entire fandom (saw many comments about it) and it is certainly a perfect introduction to a chapter that is, indeed, completely made of this happy, leisurely, warm atmosphere. I feel like it tastes even better, after all the anxiety they made us go through, right? I'm pretty sure that was CLAMP's goal all along, giving us this little reward after all the hard situations they've put their characters through. This color page looks like Sakura and Syaoran are saying "goodbye" to us, holding their hands in a lover's hold, but seeing them so cute and happy definitely soothes the sad feeling 🥲 Until we meet again...hopefully!

Letters From Around The World

But it's when the chapter starts that we get our first surprise: the time skip is of one entire year!!! We left our little heroes at the end of the first year of Tomoeda Middle school, ready to go in spring break and then start the second year...here, Sakura says she's in her spring break of the next year, ready to become a 9th grader!!! I almost couldn't believe they actually went that far, I knew from CLAMP's podcast that there was a timeskip, but I expected just some months! Although....I have to say the characters don't look that different, Mokona said she made them a tiny bit older and she kept true to that, because it's barely visible! 🤭 But if you compare them with how they looked at the middle of the story, of course the difference is visible.

I was so happy to see that the chapter started right away with a letter from Akiho: a letter or a videocall was definitely among the type of content I wanted to see in this chapter, because of course I still was quite preoccupied about the difficult journey Akiho and Kaito embarked on, so I wanted to see how they were faring. The amount of letters Sakura accumulated over the span of this year tells me that they moved around quite a lot, and she had always something to share with her "long-distance sister" 🤭 Kero praising Akiho's skills and even feeling some sort of "reverence" for her insane talent to find all the crazy and rare books was so funny and nice!! 😂Sakura is adorable, feeling all proud about the talent of her "sister" 🤭 Loved that they actually mentioned the place where Akiho and Kaito are currently at!! (cause they didn't reveal where they'd go first, in chapter 80, and I guess we'll never know). I appreciated SO SO much that they let us see that Akiho didn't drop, but actually continued to practice her sewing skills like she was doing before everything went down the drain with the Alice in Clockland play: moreover, finding out later that this skill is also helping her greatly with the true ambition of her life made me incredibly satisfied. How cute of her to send outfits for Kero and Suppy, even from far away??

I was quite surprised to find out that Akiho sends all the rare books to Eriol, and then laughed my as* off at Kero saying he's selling them off (the way Kero phrases it in JP makes it look a QUITE shady activity 😂). This shows there's a continued collaboration between the "group" in England and YunaAki, and it's very nice. They're not only "taking" support from Eriol, Akiho also does return the favor, providing Eriol with the books he needs.

And then....got really emotional to know that Kaito wrote a letter to Sakura, back when they left one year ago 🥲 I DID feel like some kind of acknowledgement or apology from Kaito to Sakura was missing from chapter 80 (but honestly, with everything they had to explain, where they could fit that?) and so this little mention completely fixed that sense of "he made a mess and barely managed to apologize to Akiho before leaving". Kaito isn't an ass*ole so of course he would've done something like that, and a letter seems perfect for an introvert boy of few words like him. I imagine the letter wasn't really long either. The little moon on the sealing wax...❤️The fact that Sakura is storing that single letter together with Akiho's letters in a specific box makes me almost cry. She cares for those two so, so much! 😭 Sakura wishes to receive more letters from Kaito and I really hope he will open up to her along the way, because he could benefit ENORMOUSLY from her advices and perspective! Also THANK YOU CLAMP for giving us a little "still" of those two next to eachother from the moment when they were leaving Tomoeda, with the suitcases and all 🥲that last faraway shot of all four of them together in chapter 80 was so great, but I wanted to see them like this too!

The SyaoSaku Date

Aaaaaand then we get to the long awaited, craved, coveted SYAOSAKU DATE!!! 🤣 I can't count how many people I've seen wishing for this....to be honest I was going to be ok with any kind of sweet moment between the two, but gotta admit that a carefree afternoon watching a stage play and then taking refreshment at a café gives this sense of normal, complete fun that was missing a bit for them. They are dressed in a very fancy way (loved that Sakura isn't wearing her usual long one-pieces but something different, with puff shorts! A sign of her growing up?) and even though they're not exactly wearing a "pair look" (too corny, maybe?), they are well matching eachother's outfits. And of course we find out that Tomoyo made Sakura's cute outfit and even the decorations on Syaoran's collar! The fact she was the one asking Syaoran to wear them at the date is kinda funny, like some sort of guidance into looking like a couple, thanks to the matching decorations! Tomoyo really takes care of everything....yes....everything. 🥲 The mention of Sakura's wedding dress of course made me go "OH MY GOD" and made me realize that if Tomoyo is already mentioning that.......we aren't *that* far away from that day (I always imagined SyaoSaku marrying early, since they're soulmates and got together so young!! 😆). Truly an emotional, sweet moment that was reinforced by Tomoyo's tender expression in the flashback. Her resolution to devote herself to learn to design even normal everyday outfits, or date outfits, everything that could accompany her dear Sakura everyday, reminded me that Tomoyo found her very own way to be with Sakura, and she's perfectly content with that. Tomoyo's happiness is seeing Sakura happy, and she will do anything to achieve that. ✨

Syaoran and Kaito's Friendship

And then my blushy blushy Sakura changes topic and suddenly throws me on the floor in a fit of laughter, because seeing Syaoran's confused look while he was trying to make sense of the pictures Kaito sent him on his phone WAS HONESTLY PRICELESS. 😆 My god, how long have I wished to see them like this? Moving their timid steps into a friendship (since their girlfriends are like sisters and Sakura literally saved Kaito's derriere), being their awkward dorky selves...they surprisingly get along so well and Syaoran doesn't seem to hold resentment towards him, which is GREAT for me!! He's learning from Sakura to just let go of hard feelings, when you've found out the person who acted in an oppositive way was just in a very desperate situation and had actually no ill intentions. And that makes me incredibly happy. Kaito needs all the support he can get, to make the right decisions in his life, and I can totally see him finding a particular connection with Syaoran, due to how they're both moon boys, who would give their life for the person they love. I think precisely for this, precisely because Syaoran can understand to a degree Kaito's situation and behavior, he wouldn't feel judged and would feel more free to establish a connection with him. I was k*lled with laughter and endearment when I saw that Syaoran felt confused, but still tried to understand Kaito's peculiar way of communicating with him 😂 And guess what? I think he doesn't realize it, but he's totally starting to get it! 😂The way our wolfie boy snaps that picture IMMEDIATELY as the cat passes by, and how he only framed the ear, really shows how in the end he's speaking "the same language" as Kaito 😂 Seeing Sakura so excitedly think to herself that the two became such good friends made me scream "SAME SAKURA-CHAN, SAME!!!" 😂 All in all, seeing these two having such a relaxed, comfortable date talking about their friends and stuff that happened lately made me completely feel that one year that elapsed, and now they act totally like a couple that's been dating for quite some time. 😊 Ooooh thank you sensei, really. Thank you so much for this scene. 🙏

The Moon Is Really Beautiful, Right?

BUT! The real reason why CLAMP will always have my heart and my gratitude is hidden in the next scene. 😂

Oh my god, the screams I've belted out when I saw them. And when I've read THAT. But let's go in order, let's go in order and not jump the gun! We're in Germany, Akiho and Kaito now seem to be living in an apartment in a nice building! They're still talking in keigo, and still calling eachother "Akiho-san" and "Kaito-san". 😊

Kaito SMILES genuinely at the picture Syaoran sent him!! And answers, to an observant Akiho, that he's having fun!! 😭HIM! The one who couldn't understand what was fun in interacting with others!!! He looks honestly so radiant and happy, a sign that his mental recovery is going strong. And that he's slowly expanding his "trusted people" network. 🥲🙏Also, he looks younger than ever!!! 😂

It made me INCREDIBLY HAPPY to see that Akiho didn't drop the "hobby" she had started in chapter 26 (ages ago!!), remember this scene?

I remember how much I loved to know she had started learning how to do this, because together with my friends, at the time, we all thought this could easily become her aspiration in life......and guess what?? CLAMP confirmed she wants to take on a job revolving around books and book repairing!! This is all canon!! T___T oh my happy tears.... There's a sense of pride in seeing that this journey for Akiho isn't only revolving around finding the cure for Kaito's shortened lifespan (which hurt his body terribly) and restarting his "stopped time", or finding Momo and the Alice in Clockland book, but she's also got the mental resolution to do something for herself, for what she wants to do in life, something that is completely disconnected from Kaito. Again, I cannot reiterate enough how this girl doesn't have an unhealthy codependent relationship with Kaito, and she's completely capable of thinking about her own future, aspirations and wishes. She wants him with her, and she could never live happily without him, but the love of her life isn't the only thing that exists for her. It is incredibly satisfying to see her working hard for her own future, where she'll be able to contribute (especially financially) to their livelihood. I can see Kaito helping her and assisting her with that. The other day I was dreaming away with my friends about Kaito and Akiho managing a "book cafè" together somewhere, how impossibly sweet that would be?

Seeing this volitive, ambitious, strong-willed Akiho once again filled my heart immensely. And I wasn't the only one, apparently.....

Oh god, you have no idea of the SHRIEKS I belted out when I saw Kaito saying "the moon is really beautiful, right?" in full daylight. Like. It is absolutely unmistakable at this point what kind of love he feels for her, and while I always knew, I'm sure the character took his own sweet time and personal introspection to reach that conclusion. If you remember, I've always said it and reiterated it at the end of chapter 80: Kaito won't understand things overnight, it will take a long time. And one year, at that age, is enough of a long time to come to terms with one's feelings and understanding what exactly they mean. They lived all that time together as two "equals", no more butler/boss bullsh*t, so they had even more opportunities to see eachother's true colors. And Kaito couldn't help but fall even more in love with Akiho, to the point that seeing her working so excitedly for her future made him gently overflow with that feeling....and said that sweet quote of Natsume Soseki that we all know, by now, what it means. I think the mere fact that what made his heart explode was seeing her so independent and strong, is a good sign that Kaito's love for her is the healthy and supportive kind, too. He doesn't love her and feels attracted to her soul because she's a weaker, younger, malleable being that he can dominate (as a toxic relationship would portray), but at the contrary, because she's free and strong and wonderful on her own. The more he sees her shining, the more that feeling grows. Throughout this scene, he looks at her and talks to her in such an intensely sweet way, you can totally see he's smitten with her.

The most popular reply to someone who confesses with "the moon is beautiful" is the equivalent of "I could die for you/I can die happy now", in Japanese. And Kaito had been unconsciously replying that way, with his actions, the whole damn time during the serialization of Clear Card. But since he took it way too literally, things were really heading to tragedy. Nobody wanted him to die for real, and yet, subconsciously, that was the only way he had found to give outlet to an enormous amount of feels that he couldn't express (because it wasn't appropriate, and nobody would ever love him, and he only caused her pain, and he had to let go of Akiho anyway at the end of it).

So considering all of THAT, this "I love you very much" he said now (he added とても, "very", like Akiho did ❤️) in this way, makes me think even more "yes, you finally understood what was the best way to convey it!" and therefore, it represents another character development for our moon boy. 🥲

There's debate over whether he had already understood what Akiho had meant, in chapter 48. I stand firmly by my convinction that, even if he was informed of the Japanese folklore tale around it, he quickly dismissed it as "no, she's meaning it literally for the moon", since he couldn't really believe that anyone would ever take interest in him, and was sure he would've always been alone. Otherwise, if he really understood and believed that Akiho was in love with him, I don't think he could've ever said that "I thought you didn't need me to be happy". It doesn't make sense. But everything that happened at the fake moon, and all her angry tears, and all her resolution to find a way to cure him, made him finally see that she really meant it in that way. ❤️So his own acceptance and introspection could finally start, and....it brought to this. ❤️ If you want to know more about the popular phrase "the moon is beautiful, right?", I invite you to check my first Clear Card Trivia post, focused on the literary and musical references portrayed throughout this story!

And LOL, I couldn't help but noticing several things in how this scene played out: first, he immediately "runs away" blabbering about the breakfast being ready, a very similar way to how he "ran away" in chapter 52 when Akiho could see right through him and was trying to express her support and feelings to him. This is definitely an indication (taking into consideration also how he acted when he was little) that the reason why Kaito walked away back then, slamming the door, had a sprinkle of embarrassment embedded in it, too. Yeah. I mean, look at the face he's making here, just before he notices, puzzled, that his hand is shaking:

He's smiling so tenderly, among the pain he's feeling because of his poor health. He even laughs! He's happy he heard that! But he just couldn't stay hearing any longer, back then. Now, in this scene of the special chapter, he literally throws "the bomb" and runs away without hearing her answer or reaction 😂😂😂this is definitely embarrassment, and I'd like to think there's even a hint of teasing streak that I've always seen between the lines in his personality. It came out particularly with Syaoran and Momo, but Akiho isn't excluded from this dynamic! 😂

And excuse me, but Akiho's reaction literally made me roll on the floor laughing!! 😂The poor girl is probably so used to live abroad, and Japanese folklore isn't probably coming up immediately in her mind anymore, despite it's a phrase SHE used HERSELF back then! 😂Or maybe it's because she didn't really expect it from him, and so she took a moment to connect the dots. Either way, it was extremely funny! And I can't absolutely avoid pointing out how our girl isn't blushing like mad anymore, but just slightly.... I mean. It must have been quite clear to her too, by now, that her feelings were in some kind "reciprocated", be it for what Sakura said back at the fake moon, his decision to go back to her, and his decision to reveal his true name, hence giving her his most vulnerable part of himself... This isn't a shock for her, and she probably waited patiently, patiently, for him to finally say something like this. So maybe, more than embarrassed, she's surprised that the day finally came! 🥲 Goodness. This really puts all my worries to rest, Akiho will truly be happy. And it makes total sense that CLAMP made him say this now, and not at the end of chapter 80. As I said, more time was needed. This entire scene leaves me with a sweet, soft, comfortable feeling, and it's totally how I've always imagined their relationship to be. Also....no more of that "he loves her as a daughter/sister" crap, not canon-wise at least. 😊

One last thing I have to point out about this scene, which curiously reconnects everything together, is that recently CLAMP have announced the themes to which their upcoming exhibition will revolve around: among them, there's LOVE (of course!), and among the decorations surrounding the featured character on the key visual (Sakura, for now, but there's at least another one coming!) there are a couple of birds too. Birds are, in this sense, a symbol of love in CLAMP's language. I couldn't really help but noticing all the birds flying outside the window next to Akiho, the moment Kaito says that "the moon is really beautiful, right?". Basically, CLAMP were trying to scream it all over the place, however they could. 😂

"Momo-san?!"

It was so nice to see Yukito and Kero-chan gossiping about Touya right in his face, with the complete intention to tease him 😂in that sense, Yukito really seems like a sweet and harmless character, but don't be fooled! His teasing power is over 9000!! 😂Touya's killing glare made me crack up! He's so done for, now that both Kero and Yukito can tease him in the open! 😂😂😂

But please, please, let me scream about MOMO!!! Oh my god I would've never accepted a special chapter that didn't feature her!! Aaaaahhh I'm so glad to see that she's fine 🥲 The conversation between her and Sakura made clear to me that she isn't that free to move how I imagined her to be. Certainly, she decides where to go and who the book stays with (and when to leave), but the impartiality imposed on her role doesn't allow her to act freely like she wants, unless she pays a price. And she decided to pay a price, not to see Akiho and Kaito, but to go and thank Sakura herself first. Because, as her "those kids" suggests, she of course still feels some kind of maternal instinct towards them, and as any mother would do, she wants to thank Sakura from the bottom of her heart for having helped and saved those two. Even her body language (the position of her hands) portrays that. And excuse me, but I A B S O L U T E L Y loved how CLAMP clarified once and for all, addressing directly the complaints of their own fandom, that Sakura wasn't forcingly dragged into a matter that wasn't related to her. Everything she did, she decided to do it because she felt it touched her personally. From the moment she became Akiho's friend and came to care for her, everything that happened and everything that she was involved with was related to her too. This wasn't "somebody else's business" anymore. Because Akiho is one of her most beloved friends, no matter how "fast" that happened. Some relationships bloom almost immediately, because the connection is just that strong. And so, this turned into just another expression of "your happiness is my happiness", with Sakura acting according to what her heart suggested. As Kaito is Akiho's most beloved person, Sakura couldn't help but care for him too, because doing so would've made her friend happy, in a wonderful "circulation of love".

Special mention for the scene with pregnant Lilie, oh my god I didn't really expect this either. How long ago I wrote that Tumblr post about cosmos flowers and the origin of Akiho's name? A couple of weeks ago? It's like CLAMP answered my curiosity, with this scene. I still keep my interpretation in my heart, but I also love the logic "it is a flower that keeps the same name in many countries". Of course. "Wherever you'll go, you'll always be your unique self". (And now I want to cry, mama's heart is so big😭) The way Lilie keeps her hands over her womb made me tear up. The ring isn't there anymore, a sign that she probably already gave it to Momo (understandably, since once Akiho would be born, she wouldn't really have much time left). The baby bump isn't that noticeable, probably because she's at the beginning of her pregnancy. Who knows if she kept seeing little Kaito while she was pregnant. 🥲Who knows if in the scene where she's telling him about how wonderful it is to have something you love, especially a person, she was already pregnant with Akiho. 🥲

Momo and Sakura's final words made me understand that Momo cannot go back to Akiho and Kaito till the circumstances and the moment is right. Whether it depends on Akiho's wish, or the right cosmic arrangement, it's surely not in the short term. Especially considering the limited scope of Momo's agency. It cannot come from Momo (unless she pays a huge price), it needs to come from them, strongly enough. I also want to think that, again as an acquired mother figure, Momo wants those two to find their own way, identity and figure out their relationship on their own, without her interference. I'm sure she's keeping an eye on them from faraway, though. 🥲Even though this still feels bittersweet because I wanted to see them reuniting in canon so badly, it gave me lots of hope for the future. Momo is just waiting for the right moment, and she'll be ready to embrace them when the time is right. Maybe, who knows, we'll see that reunion in another series or in a special publication in the future?

The End

And then....the final scene 🥲NOW it is finally clear what Ohkawa meant in that one Twitter Space, when she mentioned that there was a reason why they never featured Sakura's birthday!!! THEY NEEDED TO KEEP THE EXCLUSIVITY FOR THIS!! 😂 I'm so glad they did, really...it's so sweet to see her reaching 14 years old (the "standard age" of many shoujo heroines! 😂) and seeing Syaoran giving her a present, with that strikingly sweet smile full of love...but most importantly....the breathtaking final double spread 🥲🥲🥲🥲 The way she pulls his hand close to her chest, to her heart, while saying that Syaoran will be forever and ever her most important and special person.....really, this chapter is meant to k*ll us all with feels!🥲and I love how CLAMP keep finding ways to portray their physical displays of affection without resorting to the classic, most wanted (but also probably considered not appropriate yet) "kiss". The very final page is a direct parallel of a page from chapter one, where Sakura was going to school alone and looked back down the street to admire the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Now, she's not alone anymore, but actually hugging the love of her life on her special day! Really, what a wonderful and fulfilling way to give the final touch to this amazing story! 🥲 Her very last line also contributed to this. Sakura leaves us again, 24 years after the first ending, with words of positivity for the future, and love for her important people. This wraps everything up nicely, but it still keeps things quite "open-ended", hopefully in the eventuality to return to this wonderful series in the future. Sakura is growing up, as CLAMP wished, and it might be possible to see her dealing with more "grown-up" situations, magic and non-magic wise. But one thing is for sure, her relationship with her loved ones will always take top priority. ❤️

Well well well, we came to the end of this looooooong commentary for this special chapter too. I can't help but thank once again all of you who followed my posts all these years, and commented with your POVs on the story.

As I've said multiple times, Cardcaptor Sakura gave me so much ever since I was a kid, and this sequel was no exception. This special chapter, in particular, overflowed with things I wanted to see, and I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking so. I once again want to congratulate CLAMP for wrapping everything up nicely, and thank them from the bottom of my heart for these almost 8 years of emotional journey. 🙏

See you around with my other tumblr posts, and let's look forward to the release of volume 16 on April 1st, and hopefully, news about the anime sequel of Clear Card!!

#cardcaptor sakura #card captor sakura #clear card arc #ccsakura #ccs spoilers #sakura kinomoto #syaoran li #akiho shinomoto #yuna d. kaito #syaosaku #yunaaki #special chapter #translation differences #how come this post is so freaking long even without translation differences?#well dammit I had A LOT TO SAY #and even some itches to scratch #aaaah the satisfaction #😊so happy

156 notes · View notes

bigtreefest · 3 months

Text

Chapter 3: Honey Trap

From: You Catch More Bees With Honey Series

Pairing: Mob! Bucky x Farmer! Reader

Summary: A Farmer’s Market and Pouring out your heart over a beer leads to Bucky learning more about his favorite mysterious farmer

Content/warnings: mentions of previous heartbreak and descriptions, a surprising amount of crying/near-crying, soft mobster Bucky, Heartless Jake, Creepy Cole, mentions of blood/period (not graphic and should be normalized because this happens to me all the time and I know I’m not alone in that), excessive drinking and lowkey alcoholism, cowboy hat rule, mutual pining and reluctance towards that, y/n used like three times

Word Count: 5,295

A/N: I didn’t mean for this chapter to be this long, but also, I definitely meant for it to be this long. Sorry for making dear, wonderful, Jake Jensen out to be a bad guy, and NOT sorry for making Cole Turner a creep. Likes, comments, reblogs, and asks are SUPER appreciated. Thank you for reading, I love you *gives forehead kiss*

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

< Prev | Series Masterlist | Next >

Bucky knew lots of languages. Country was not one of them. You would think it would be, with how many arms purchasers were from the south, but he kept his dealings with those folk as short and formal as possible. It was better for his sanity and everyone else that way.

He’d been running into a lot of country folk today, helping you run this farmer’s market out of one of your barns. Half of his conversations with people were full of twangy words and phrases he didn’t understand, so he just lightly laughed, hoping that was the right response. The other half were children, asking him what the bump was on the side of his head, the result of the bee incident earlier this week. Before, it was slightly swollen and red, but it was nearly back to normal. Darn kids have keen eyes, though, and no shame. He’d just about had enough. These people were too polite, besides their annoying children. Lucky for him, though, he’d sold off the last of the turnip greens, and his cash box was full, so he made his way over to you at the stand holding the freshly jarred honey you’d successfully, and he’d not-so-successfully harvested earlier in the week. It was just in time to catch the tail end of a conversation he saw you were having with a slightly older woman.

“You’re like our very own honeybee”

“Oh please, Mrs. Jensen, you know the bees do all the work. I just put it in a jar”

“You’re too modest, dear. My Jakey says no one makes sweeter honey than you. I always tell him to come back and help if he loves it that much, but it seems he’s too late now. Looks like you’ve got yourself a new farm hand who’s easy on the eyes”

Bucky glanced up at her through his eyelashes with his signature smirk, raising to a stand from setting the empty turnip green crate at your feet. “Well you know what they say, honeybees don’t work alone. And their hard work makes the world go round.”

For some reason unbeknownst to him, Bucky slung his hand over your shoulder. Was it jealousy he was feeling? Possessiveness? Why, he didn’t own you and he promised himself he wouldn’t fall, physically or metaphorically (although it was far too late physically, and he didn’t want to think about how close he truly was metaphorically). Plus, it’s not like he was having the best time right now. This whole week was a nightmare, and the only reason he was in a decent mood was from seeing your smile as you interacted with the town’s folk today. You were a person of the people, in juxtaposition to how Bucky was often only looking out for himself. So why did the mention of Jakey make this feel necessary and why did it feel so right? Either way, he was proud of you and your hard work and the way it made people beam as bright as Mrs. Jensen. But he’d never say that. Where he’s from, hard work is expected and definitely not praised, although not nearly as manual. But seeing all the effort for that couple jars of honey made him question if the work he was even doing was that hard. Maybe he’d been away from the city too long and was losing perspective. Yeah. That had to be it.

“Well, either way, bless y’all’s heart for putting in the work. I’ll tell Jake you say hello.”

You and Bucky both waved goodbye.

“Well how about it Honeybee, Jakey appreciates all your hard work” he smirked, but watched the smile slide off your face.

“Try telling me that with our awful breakup years ago” you shrugged off with a small chuckle, but Bucky could see the light drain out of your eyes a little. He had obviously struck a nerve, but didn’t want to push farther, at least not now when there were still a few customers aimlessly shopping around for the last bits of produce left. Maybe he’d catch you once the two of you were alone.

You turned away from him to hide your grimace. Thinking back to that whole situation with Jake, on top of serving others all morning had completely drained you and it was quickly catching up.

“Um, why don’t you finish cleaning up the rest of the empty crates after you ask those last few people how you can help them with anything” you waved off Bucky back towards the other end of the barn, head down, starting to look through the cash box he had handed you. You waited until you could hear his receding footsteps on the hay floor to sniffle and take a deep breath. Bucky had keen ears, though, and hesitated hearing your sigh, before he continued on, giving you your chance to regroup. He had never seen you like this before, you were normally chipper and full of energy, often a little too much for his liking, but luckily it was Friday, and after he closed these deals, you both were home free.

Bucky quickly helped the last few stragglers take their rather large haul back to their car. An older man and woman who owned the bar in town had come to get some fresh vegetables for their salads, and Bucky convinced them to take the lot with his charm. That, and he wanted to make sure he didn’t have to carry them all the way back to storage. That was a long way, and you made him walk it. He rolled his eyes when you had told him about the task, too, handing him the handle to a little red wagon with a beaming smile on your face, insisting “that’s how Pappy did it before his first tractor” and “what did you think, I like wasting diesel for food that’s supposed to have a low carbon footprint? That’s why I’ve got you, Bucket.” So Bucky grumbled under his breath at first light, angry, yet amused that the nickname stuck, but still too tired to react any differently when he started the first of his dozen trips to move the produce from storage into the farmer’s market barn. And there was no way he was gonna do that again, so he convinced the couple to take the lot, even offering to carry it out to the car for them, because that was better than the quarter mile walk both ways through the tall grass of your fallow fields to return them.

“Thank you so much for your help, Jamie. You’ve taken such good care of us, you should come by the bar later if you can get some free time from Miss Y/L/N over there. She’s quite the hard worker, maybe bring her along. Drinks on us.” The older lady looked at Bucky with a soft smile.

Jamie, no one had called him that since his mom. Country folk and their want for instant closeness. He hardly knew this lady and already she was trying to be endearing, but her forced charm was nothing compared yours even when you weren’t trying. She looked over Bucky’s shoulder at you carrying a stack of heavy wooden crates out of the barn, hardly struggling, but very determined before sliding them back into the truck. Bucky’s eyes followed hers, a small grin of admiration creeping onto his face at your independence and mastery at everything you do, no matter how simple.

“Yeah, hardest worker out there. I’ll see if I can convince her to take a break.” He turned back and walked the lady to her door, opening it for her to get in.

“Drive safely. Hope to see you later Mr. and Mrs. Carter.” He shut the door and made his way back over to your truck. You had already gotten in and started it with the windows down. Bucky slid into the bench seat to be met by you with your forehead resting on the wheel in between your hands. You took a sharp inhale and shot up, putting on a fake smile, albeit less forced than earlier.

“Ready to go meet Curtis? We’ve just gotta touch base with him and then we’re good to be done for the day.”

“Um, yeah. Sounds good.”

Bucky wasn’t sure how to continue with you in that mood. Should be keep talking? Did you prefer the silence to think? The radio was low on the dash, but not silent, so he decided to speak up.

“Did you see who I was helping? They said they own the bar in town. Maybe we can go for a drink tonight? Celebrate a long week done?”

You sighed. Again. “Um, yeah. I actually think that sounds really good. We both need the decompression. TGIF, ya know?” You forced out a small laugh which Bucky returned and he turned forward as you continued the drive back toward your house.

When the two of you entered the farmhouse, your were greeted by Curtis, your weekend farmhand, sitting at the dining room table. He had already helped himself to a glass of sweet tea you kept in the fridge, mainly for him, which was made from your Aunt’s recipe he loved so much.

“Oh, good, you’re back from chores already.” Curtis had been kind enough to come in today to work on some tasks since you and Bucky had your hands full with the market. He usually only worked Saturday and Sunday since this was his second job, but he’d sometimes come in to help extra, like today.

“Bucket, this is Curty b—oh sorry, Curtis. He’s the one that makes sure things run smoothly when I’m not. He’s a whiz at fixing the machinery, perks of him also being the best mechanic in town.”

Bucky warily stepped forward, eyes narrowed, barely noticeable, and shook Curtis’s hand. Who is this guy who let himself into your house? “Bucky is fine, really.”

Curtis let out a chuckle, “nice to meet you, Bucket. It’s ok, I talked to Y/N about making cheese curds once, and she’s called me ‘Curty boi’ ever since.”

Bucky laughed and shook his head, looking over his shoulder. You just shrugged with a small smile on your face, already more relaxed and relieved to be inside your home with someone you didn’t feel like you had to put up a front for, that was reassuring. Bucky went into the kitchen to get you both a glass of water as you sat next to Curtis at the table, joined by Bucky sitting across after he handed you your glass. The three of you briefly talked about the chores Curtis had done that day, how the farmer’s market went, and what all needed done that weekend.

Curtis seemed nice, not threatening. The visceral tinge of jealousy left Bucky’s body as the conversation went on. If Curtis was going to make a move, he would’ve done it by now, surely. But the two of you were clearly just close friends. Why did Bucky keep feeling like this?

As you wrapped up, Curtis slapped his knees with both his hands and went to stand. “Well, I better get going, sun’s starting to get pretty low.”

Curtis and Bucky had been getting along pretty well, so you spoke up. “Well actually, Bucky and I were gonna go to the bar in town tonight. Care to join?”

“Yeah, I’d love to. There are just a few things I’ve gotta check on in the shop first, but I can drop by after. Does that work?”

“For sure. We’ll see you then” You and Bucky shared a small smile before you closed the door behind Curtis and turned back to the mob boss standing in your foyer.

“Ok, Cowboy. Good job today. Go take a shower, we’re going out.” Bucky beamed, which you returned, and he felt a warmth bloom in his chest at your praise.

“Yes, ma’am, Miss Honeybee” you smiled and rolled your eyes as he ran up the steps, following behind to get ready, yourself. He was really glad your mood was starting to turn around.

As Bucky went to his room to gather his clothing, his mind started to drift towards why he cared how you felt. He was just here for business, right? So why did it bother him if you were sad? If anything, he should want you vulnerable to help him come out on top of your business, but something deep inside of him felt more satisfaction when you were winning. He shook the thoughts from his head. Maybe a cold shower could help him sort this out.

Bucky came down the stairs and sat on the couch just as he heard your hair dryer start up. He had gotten ready quickly, throwing on one of his henleys, his nicer jeans, and a pair of boots Sam had sent him this week when he had heard about the whole ‘borrowing clothes situation.’

He shot Steve a text, telling him that the two of you were going out to the bar with Curtis, to which he replied Have fun, Bucket😉.

Ugh, why did he have to tell Steve about that, it was never gonna go away now. Bucky had gotten a call from Steve each evening giving updates on the business, with Bucky doing the same on his end, keeping it short, only noting the highlights and trying to keep his emotions in check and out of the updates. His best friend knew better, though, even if Bucky wasn’t fully aware of the extent of his feelings yet.

Bucky got up and walked around, looking through the photos and knick knacks in your living room, before stopping by the mirror behind your front door and checking his appearance. This look wasn’t what he was used to. He was extremely dressed down compared to the designer suit he’d likely be sporting in one of his clubs if he were back in the city. He hadn’t even bothered to gel his hair because it seemed you didn’t care when he did, plus, he wanted to save that valuable product for a real occasion, no use in wasting it to go slum with a bunch of hillbillies. He looked to the coatrack next to the mirror to see a hat that matched his boots perfectly and plopped it on his head, swaying side to side to see how it looked.

Just then, you started to make your way down the stairs but stopped in your tracks seeing Bucky in that hat. His head snapped up to look at you.

“What? Does this hat make me look dumb?”

You smiled and shook your head.

“No, not at all” Bucky could see tears well up in your eyes, accompanied by sparkles of fondness and, sadness?

“That was my uncle’s hat. He taught me everything I know”

“Oh, I’m so sorry” Bucky went to take the hat off but you stopped him.

“No- it’s okay. It looks good on you. Go ahead and wear it out tonight.”

Bucky looked back at you with a somber nod as you continued back down the stairs, taking a deep breath to settle the emotions that had nearly breached the surface.

Even in this state, you looked gorgeous. Hair flouncing in the breeze that was created as you drifted down the steps, wearing makeup he hadn’t seen since the first time you two had met and a sundress that blew him away. You were gorgeous in all states because you were you. Bucky looked down, kicking his feet, to pull his magnetic glance from you. He’s really gotta switch up the power dynamic here, and if there was one place Bucky could feel at home after a week of embarrassing himself, it was a bar. He grabbed the keys and you followed with an eye roll, getting into the passenger seat of your own truck. He didn’t even know where he was going, but he looked at you with a sly grin. Like for the first time, he had the upper hand, and that would only come from being anywhere but on your farm.

Bucky was a good driver, despite his statements about some guy named ‘Gio’ and grumbles about Sam, who you had met once before. Besides that, the drive was filled with laughs reminiscing all the mishaps he went through that week, well, mostly you laughing, and Bucky doing his best to hold a smirk from showing too obviously, his eyes narrowed at you in contrast.

The two of you pulled into town as you pointed Bucky towards a decent-sized building which housed the bar, still nothing compared to what he was used to. The two of you hopped down from the truck and walked through the front door, which jingled, signaling your entrance.

Bucky was greeted by the smell of old wood and stale beer, the dim atmosphere lit with old neon beer signs and fluorescent lights which hung over the pool tables. You looked back at Bucky as you crossed the threshold where he held the door for you.

“Hey, all I’m saying is, I bet you wouldn’t last a week in my world the way I did in yours.”

You rolled your eyes as you sauntered up to the bar, taking a seat at the corner, Bucky next to you, and a few more empty seats to the other side of him that would hopefully stay that way until Curtis came. As the two of you had walked up to the bar, you had seen a bunch of girls groups whose heads turned, seeing the stranger that was Bucky make his way across the floor. Why couldn’t he be ugly? And why did you let him wear that hat? Bucky didn’t even notice. His eyes were only on you, besides his trained peripheral vision catching the eyes of men whose heads turned towards, doing the same.

“Oh please, Bucket, you hardly made it through this week. I’ve never seen anyone cut their finger on wheat before. How did you even do that? You were literally up on the tractor… wheat should not have been anywhere near your hands, yet you came to me with several paper cut-looking marks. And what do you even do all day? Your hands have calluses but a totally different kind. You can hardly toss a hay bale a story high into the barn loft. I’m sure it wouldn’t be that hard for me to just sit at a desk, bark orders, and sign paperwork all day.”

Bucky’s mouth gaped open as he feigned offense and put his hand on his chest.

You flashed a fleeting smile at him in satisfaction as you waved down the

bartender ordering two shots of whiskey and two beers.

“Now just because that’s all you’ve seen me do for work, doesn’t mean that’s all there is to it.”

“Oh really? Please, Bucket, then be my guest…indulge me.”

“Well, if I told you, I’d have to kill you, so take that as one of the common requisites.”

He smirked at you, obviously more comfortable in this bar environment before your phone dinged and it was a message from Curtis.

Hey Y/N. So sorry, something came up at the shop. Rain check?

Yeah, no problem. Hope all is good, see you tomorrow?

Yep! Ty

“Well, looks like Curty boi isn’t joining us, so it’s just you and me, Bucko”

At that moment, the bartender set down the drinks in front of you and you and Bucky took a shot together, ordering an appetizer sampler platter to go with your drinks.

As the two of you nursed your beers, you joked more about Bucky’s farm mishaps and talked about all the men you had turned down from Bucky’s organization to get him out here.

“I’ve gotta be honest, I don’t know how you turned down both Sam and Steve. I’m hardly immune to their charms some days”

You laughed and threw your head back. “It’s not easy. They’ve both got these puppy dog eyes they make when I say ‘no’ to them, but they seemed pretty satisfied with the fact I wanted to see you in person.”

“And why exactly was that? You never quite said”

“Well, at first, it started as a way to delay the deal, but then I realized, if I’m going to be making some major changes to somewhere I consider a sanctuary, I wanna make sure it’s with the right partner” you nudged him with your elbow playfully and Bucky gave you a small grin. “But honestly, if I’m going to do something these days, I wanna do it at the source. I hate hearing important news from third parties, I mean, you’ve seen how I do business. It’s all me at the end of the day. Sure, Curtis helps out, but otherwise, it’s better to deal with things on my own and a few trusted people” you finished that statement breathless from your heated ramble. This didn’t go unnoticed by Bucky at all. Where did that come from? At first, to him, you were just another bug to be squashed in order to get more control over his industry, but did he care now? Did he truly care about what was upsetting you? What caused that hurt you were obviously tampering down? Does this have to do with Jakey?

Bucky hadn’t realized he said that last part out loud until you responded.

“No! Well, maybe? Like, sort of?”

“Can I ask? Can I ask what happened there? Only if you want to share”

“Um… yeah, sure, I guess. You’ve embarrassed yourself enough this week so I think you’ve earned this a little bit.”

You took a deep breath and began. “Jake and I grew up together. We met in kindergarten in school and were instantly close. We were the only two gifted kids in class, so the teacher sent us to the side for extra lessons while the rest of the class learned with her. From that point on, we were inseparable. Two smart little twerps who took on the world together, but our lives were so different. In middle school, I started to take on more responsibility on the farm and he started getting into computers, but we’d still see each other. In high school we started officially dating, and I was so happy to be with someone who I felt like intellectually got me. I think it was the same way for him, too. He’d crack such nerdy jokes, and no one got them but me”

You smiled nostalgically at the memory. “When our senior year came along and my uncle wasn’t doing that well, I applied to more local schools, but he didn’t. We had always talked about going off to college and living together, but he wanted that life to be far away from here, and I had obligations. I got into the local college on a full ride for agriculture and civil engineering, and he decided he’d rather go to MIT for computer science. I asked if he’d be willing to stay since he got into college around here, too, but he said he wanted to be around people who were ‘more like-minded to him.’ As if we hadn’t been the only ones who had understood each other for over a decade.”

Bucky gave you a sullen look as your head fell and you looked down at your hands. He signaled to the bartender for a water and two more rounds of shots.

“I just, I just didn’t understand how he could act like that after so long. So I asked him when he was leaving so I could see him off. We were still friends, after all, but he left without a word. When I saw him again over Christmas break that winter, I felt like he had turned into some overweening, highfalutin, jerkwad. I didn’t really know him anymore, and I had enough to focus on already, so I just kinda stopped talking to him. As you could see today, his mom still comes around, but it’s not really the same. I don’t think she ever really truly saw the way he changed, she’s too caught up in having a son who lives in Silicon Valley now, but apparently he still asks for stuff from the farmers markets.” You shrugged and thanked the bartender for the shots, pounding all four before you excused yourself to the restroom, leaving Bucky to sit there shocked.

He had known where you went to college and how smart you are, but things like what happened with Jake don’t show up on paper. However he clocked you before, you were even stronger than that, because despite how you were hurt, you still wore your heart in your sleeve and showed compassion to everyone around.

You washed your face and looked in the mirror. Sure, that experience with Jake sucked, but it’s been years and you were over it now. Didn’t mean it was fun to relive it all. You decided to go into one of the stalls, the alcohol already kicking in and making you have to pee. You sat down and that’s when you saw it: blood. So that’s the reason for the waterworks all day today. That’s why you felt so tired and couldn’t help tearing up at the slightest things. Luckily the girl in the stall next to you had some products. You cleaned up and washed your hands, forcing a smile in the mirror until it became real, honestly relieved at having a reason for your out-of-character behavior. You headed back out to Bucky in a much more chipper mood and he looked up at you with a quirked brow. He figured you’d taken the time you needed. He was appreciative of you being so open with him, and wasn’t going to question the switch-up since he was just so happy to see you being yourself again after a long day.

“Up for a game of pool, cowboy?”

“Oh, you’re signing up to lose, Honeybee”

“Ok, ok, best four out of seven” Bucky whined as you giggled, whiskey shots catching up to you as you held another beer bottle in your hand. Bucky was hardly affected, he essentially rocked this much alcohol in his system by noon on a daily basis. Just then, his phone rang, and he motioned to show you it was Steve. You gave him a thumbs up and started to rack the balls to set up for the next game.

You watched Bucky walk out the door as you felt a presence looming behind you. You turned around and stood up, eyes tracing up a body dressed in brown hues until you reached a set of blue eyes shaded by a cowboy hat brim.

“Oh, howdy, can I help you?”

“I sure hope so. Can I get you a drink? Two whiskey sours” the stranger yelled over to the bar.

“Oh, uh, thanks.”

“My name’s Cole, Cole Turner. What’s a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?”

He was handsome, there was no denying that, but something seemed off. You plastered your best fake smile on your face. You didn’t need a confrontation tonight, not in your favorite dress. You didn’t want to taint the memory of it because of some rando. Wait. Was he a rando? Where have you heard the name ‘Turner’ before? Before you could continue your train of thought, a waiter came over with your drinks. They were very sweet compared to what you’d had all night, just like his demeanor, which seemed like a thin veil over the surface. You tried to channel your drink’s energy into your words to sweetly reply until you could properly remember who he was through your alcohol-fogged mind.

“Oh, I’m not here alone. I’m here with a friend”

“Hate to break it to you sweetheart, but I don’t see anyone around. You up for a game?”

Before you could even open your mouth to respond, he grabbed a pool cue and made a move to break. After that, he was keeping a little too close to you constantly. You did your best to stay kind, but must’ve been sending the wrong signals as he asked you “You wanna get out of here? I’ve got a hotel room down the road.”

In an attempt to change the subject you asked “Oh, so you’re not from around here? What are you doing in town?” Looking towards the door hoping Bucky would be done with his update any minute now.

“Ah, I used to live around here. My family owns a string of dairy farms. I’m here to try and convince these small-town farmers to give up the land.”

Your eyes went wide. Luckily you were facing away from him. He was that Cole Turner. The one whose family ran a packaged beverage empire and prided themselves on squashing the little guy. You were lucky he didn’t seem to recognize you yet, as the last remaining competitor in town. The one he had probably come in to squash. Just then, lost in thought, you felt a hand snake around your waist and you flinched.

“Relax, Honeybee, it’s just me” Bucky whispered in your ear. Your shoulders visibly relaxed as you turned around and threw your arms around his neck, holding on for dear life. You pulled away, but not enough for Bucky’s hand to leave your waist, and looked between the two men, grabbing Bucky’s hat and placing it on your head immediately.

“Uh, James, this is Cole. He’s visiting town.”

Bucky reached out his hand Cole shook it. Cole took a large step back after, respecting the hat on your head, and, was he intimidated by Bucky’s stature? Sensing your discomfort, Bucky spoke up. “Nice to meet you. Shame we’re heading out now.”

You grabbed Bucky’s hand, not looking back, and headed straight to the door as quickly as your numb, wobbly legs would take you. Once you were met by the cool, crisp night air, you sighed in relief and rested your forehead on Bucky’s shoulder.

“Thank you for helping me get out of there”

He shuddered at your proximity and the comfort you felt in this type of contact. It felt natural and he never wanted it to stop. With a soft smile and a glance at the top of the hat, he said, “No problem, Honeybee. Let’s get home.”

He helped you get up into the cab of the truck, sliding you across the bench seat before he got in and started it up.

“So what was the deal with the hat? And that guy?”

You yawned and stretched, settling in against Bucky’s shoulder.

“Uh, when a girl takes a guy’s hat and puts it on her head, it means she’s going home with him. And don’t worry, I didn’t mean it like that, I just wanted that guy to get off my back. We can talk more about that later.”

You wiggled to get more comfortable, your hand still in Bucky’s as he used the other to steer the truck down the old country roads. Your eyes fluttered shut as you fell asleep on him. His eyes flickered between you and the road in the headlights ahead. He luckily had a good sense of direction and was able to remember how to get home from your instructions earlier.

When he pulled into your gravel driveway, your were sound asleep, softly snoring, drool having dripped onto his Henley, but he didn’t mind at all. He lifted you out of the truck and carried you up the steps, taking off your boots before tucking you into bed for the night.

Next >

Bonus A/N: so where I’m from, “Turner’s” really is a beverage empire and they make really good products. I just figured I can’t make a farm AU without putting Cole in it, no matter how inaccurate to character.

Series taglist:

@scuzmunkie

@openup-yourmind

113 notes · View notes

hockeyandhrsepwr · 1 year

Text

Birthday boy

*little Trevor Zegras x best friend (👀) reader insta edit for his birthday**

yourusername

liked by jamie.drysdale, _quinnhughes & others

Yourusername happy birthday Fucker

view all comments

📌 Yourusername I’m just joking, happy birthday to the best friend a girl could ask for!! 🫶

TrevorZegras wow, really feeling the love

jamie.drysdale you know what you did

TrevorZegras no I dont?!

jamie.drysdale right, it’s what you didn’t do

Yourusername ☝️

Jackhughes happy birthday Z

TrevorZegras at least someone appreciates me

Yourusername did he feed post for you?

TrevorZegras now that you say that…..

Yourusername Doesn't even use your full name

Youusername not even a story post either smh

JackHughes I’m busy!!

Yourusername this is why I’m the supreme best friend not you

JackHughes Trevor!! Tell her she’s wrong

TrevorZegras I can’t

Jackhughes what does she have over you?

Jamie.drysdale too much lol

Anaheimducks our favourite swiftie finally hit his TS birthday

Yourusername that he did

ColeCaufield Feeling 22

Yourusername wow Cole, so original

ColeCaufield we were all thinking it!!!

Yourusername but only you said it

TaylorSwift happy birthday Trevor!!

Jamie.drysdale what the hell?

TrevorZegras………

Yourusername did I not tell you we’re friends

TTerry19 He’s sat in his stall gaping like a fish. You’ve shut him up for once

Yourusername Thanks for the update Troy

_alexturcotte That won’t last long

TrevorZegras 5 years we’ve been friends

MasonMctavish23 oh Jesus, here we go

jackHughes The betrayal speech?

Masonmctavish23 yes sir

Yourusername is he monologuing yet?

Masonmctavish23 unfortunately

Shattdeuces hes recording it because he's too worked up to type it for you rn

yourusername 😂 I've heard it before

_quinnhughes Happy birthday annoying brother #6

Yourusername Quinn I love you for that

lhughes_06 Happy birthday Zeegs, can we circle back to this? Who the hell are #3-5

Yourusername I’m assume Turcs is in there somewhere

_quinnhughes yep, Alex & Cole & Dylan

lhughes_06 what?

Dylanduke.25 I’m honoured

User16 Trevors in best friend jail 🤣

User72 wonder what he did

User12 the comment section correction

User22 no one seems to have noticed it😂

Yourusername They saw it, they’re just choosing not to acknowledge it

TrevorZegras

liked by JackHughes, anaheimducks & others

TrevorZegras best birthday present I could’ve asked for #upgrades #shesmygfnow

view all comments

Yoruusername that has to be the lamest hashtag ever. Are you 12?

Masonmctavish23 mentally yes

Yourusername true

Jamie.drysdale can’t believe it

_alexturcotte FINALLY!!

Jackhughes the gc is going wild rn

Jamie.drysdale so ours!!

Colecaufield he actually did it?

jamie.drysdale 30 minutes ago, I’ll send you the video

Jackhughes me too!

_quinnhughes just add him to the GC

Yourusername that’s why youre the smart one Quinn

_quinnhughes thanks. Good luck with him

Yoruusername oh hes a handful 😏

Jamie.drysdale yuck

mattboldy couldn’t have waited 2 fucking weeks Trev?

_alexturcotte oh shit, I won!!

Cam.York damnit!

ColeCaufield I was off by two days😭

TrevorZegras You were betting on us? 😦

Jackhughes duh

Anaheimducks obviously

Colecaufield dude you’ve been in love with her since high school

Yourusername it gets reevaluated every 4 months for new dates

_johnbeecher we're on the 10th round I think

TrevorZegras yourusername YOURE IN ON IT?

Yourusername to quote one Jack Hughes “duh”

TrevorZegras dont bring him into this!!

Yourusername You wouldn’t get your head out of your ass! I could’ve at least made some money from it

TrevorZegras you could’ve made a move!!

Yourusername nah why would I do that

jamie.drysdale you could just have this conversation. You’re sitting across from each other

Yourusername shut it Jim

TrevorZegras yeah, zip it

User24 the Ducks admin betting on Trevors love life wasn’t on my bingo card

Anaheimducks Its the whole team!!

TrevorZegras Jesus how many people are actually involved?

Yourusername Secretary Alex?

_alexturcotte at this date, 65

TrevorZegras WHAT!!

Yoruusername yep, you’ve just made Lex a very rich man

Tterry19 atta boy!!

Masonmctavish23 be honest, its just so you can meet TSwizzle

TrevorZegras shhhh

Yourusername 🤨

TrevorZegras I’m joking, I love you very much

Yourusername 😌

User727 always thought they’d be a good couple

User71 best friends to lovers? Elite trope

User02 FINALLY!!! I’ve been waiting for this!

User542 Bestie we all have!!

User98 65 people betting 😮

User62 I’m just wondering how much Turcotte will actually make

Yourusername it’s at least 4 figures! Everyone had different amounts

Xxx

#trevor zegras #trevor zegras x reader #jjs insta edits #anaheim ducks #trevor zegras fic #trevor zegras insta edit #quinn hughes #jack hughes #jamie drysdale #cole caufield #alex turcotte #nhl #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #hockey instagram au

595 notes · View notes

blue-jisungs · 2 months

Text

MERRY GO

author's note. 3rd time is the charm so here's my final angst piece in this event :3 no but the song is so:( i saw ian's comment abt it on genius and i just ... dunno, had to write it

word count. 672

summary. your and jun's relationship reminds you of a merry go -- but there is time for you to get off it

“we need to… stop, whatever this is”

your voice echoed through the walls – but also in his head. it was heavy but not as heavy as the burden jun carried in his heart.

“i know, i know” jun replied, a sigh escaping his lips.

the silence in the room buzzed between you, a tension hanging densely. one spark of a wrong word and there will be an outbreak. both jun and you knew it well, too well.

“we’re not making any progress, are we?” an airy scoff ripped out of you, something amusing in this helpless situation “it… jun, it feels like an endless loop”

“oh, i know”

shifting in the red leather armchair, crossing your legs, scanning junhui’s silhouette. his eyes were somewhat teary but you weren’t sure if it was because of you or his overall state of being. you knew him like the back of your own hand, like the inside of your pocket. jun was exhausted - both mentally and physically. maybe you were a part of the problem, sure. but something told you he wasn’t taking care of himself properly.

hence you’re here.

“i… we, jun. we can’t keep doing that” your voice was quiet “i'm still fumbling with your memories about the last time we tried, when our worlds were falling away from us”

your relationship with jun was sweet at the beginning. but over time it turned bitter, eventually leading to a breakup. and everything after that - because you wouldn’t call it a relationship - reminded you of a merry-go round carousel. breaking off, ignoring each other and then coming back, only to hurt the other more. again and again, in a loop; in a spinning circle.

“you don't know what you've done to me, y/n” jun grunted.

meeting on a neutral ground was a good idea. no sentimental value of his living room or your bedroom. just a cheap motel, with occasionally flickering lights. it lit up his skin with a yellowish gleam, making his brown eyes look less scary to look in. the ridge of his nose which you adored so much looked so appealing, you wished you could just reach your hand out and trace it… like you used to.

“i can’t live without you” the man in front of you said “i want it all back”

“we can’t, junhui” you still loved him but you two ere no good for each other “it’s a lesson we learned too many times. i don’t want to hurt you and… i don’t want to get hurt either”

“i know, i know” jun’s throat felt like there was a rock stuck inside, his ability to speak dropping to a toddler lever.

his work, your frustration. your bottled feelings leading to hurtful words. then redemption - shared moments sweeter than the previous ones, kisses more passionate because both of you knew it will snap eventually. a repeating loophole that you lost count of how many times it has repeated itself.

“one… final chance. i cannot live without you… you, you know it. and you need me” he stuttered out and it was true. both of you acknowledged it.

with the sound of a flickering lamp in the terrifyingly silent room, a decision was made in your mind - quite the opposite of what your broken heart wanted.

“don’t… call me again. i love you jun but we can’t. i genuinely wish you the best, you deserve it. but i can’t be the one to bring you pure happiness” you didn’t even notice the crystal tears falling down your cheeks.

both of you stood up and jun wiped your skin with a sad smile. one word and he’s going to break down too, you could see it in his eyes.

“sorry… but you know it’s a right decision” you whispered, letting his embrace comfort you for the last time.

“oh, i know” the most heartbreaking sigh reached your ears.

jun hugged your shaking silhouette, tears balancing at his own waterline as well.

no more sending back around this merry go.

main masterlist | event masterlist

taglist. @mirxzii ,, @primoppang ,, @l3visbby ,, @nicholasluvbot ,, @planetkiimchi ,, @weird-bookworm ,, @slytherinshua ,, @kazmura ,, @laylasbunbunny ,, @mon2sunjinsuver ,, @eternalgyuuu ,, @rubywonu ,, @haecien ,, @mine-gyu

#seventeen #seventeen imagines #seventeen x reader #wen junhui #junhui fluff #junhui imagines #moon junhui #seventeen fluff #wen junhui fluff #wen junhui imagines #seventeen angst #junhui x reader #wen junhui x reader #wen junhui angst #svt angst #svt fluff #svt x reader #svt imagines #jun seventeen

61 notes · View notes

soupandsimple · 1 year

Text

Read Somewhere (with Sirius Black)

[ Sirius being handsy after a few too many drinks ]

* fluff / suggestive!! (nudity) ❤️‍🔥

** should go without saying Sirius doesn’t do anything the reader isn’t already okay with

…………………….

Tonight, Remus and James had come over for a little round of cards or two with your boyfriend Sirius. Of course you had Sirius invite them an hour earlier so you could offer them dinner before their night commenced and who could refuse that?

After dinner, you watch them begin a game but pretty shortly after, leave them to themselves for the night. This was not at all because they didn’t want you around but because you yourself wanted to give them their boy time. So you kiss Sirius at his temple with a whisper that you were going to shower and get in bed, then in regular volume announce to James and Remus that you enjoyed seeing them and thanked them for joining you for dinner.

“Turning in already? So soon?” Remus questions.

“Yeah but you guys have fun.” You then look over at the bottle of liquor placed on the coffee table, “On second thought, not too much fun” you tease.

Granted, the three of them didn’t drink everyday and it’d been ages since any of them had got blacked out drunk but even so, it didn’t hurt to remind them not to overdo it even if in a joking manner.

“Don’t worry Y/N, we’ll watch him” James tells you, gesturing his head to Sirius with a wink.

It was no secret that if anyone were to have a couple more drinks than needed, it would be Sirius. But again, he didn’t drink everyday so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he did over drink for one measly night.

Sirius does nothing but roll his eyes at James’ comment as you giggle. You decide to give him one last quick kiss before walking off into the hallway of the flat that leads the bedroom.

You let yourself have an actual thorough shower with shaving and long lasting hair treatment since you essentially have the night to yourself. Finishing it, you then wrap a towel around yourself to do your nighttime regimen (body lotion, hair brushing, face cleanser, flossing, toothbrushing etc.) Once all that is done, you slip into a loose nightshirt and decide to forgo panties.

Earlier at the nail shop while waiting for a free chair, you read an article in a magazine about how there could be benefits of letting your lady parts breathe freely at night. Not wanting to forget the newfound information, you decide to try it tonight.

You get into bed and turn on the tv to watch some late night talk show for a bit. Throughout it all, you can hear laughter from the guys in the living room and love that they’re enjoying themselves. Just a little before the show ends, you turn on your nightstand lamp and turn off the tv screen. Turning your body completely around, you lay on your belly, prop yourself up on your elbows and open the book keep under your lamp.

You get to read for maybe about thirty minutes before Sirius enters the room. So enthralled in your book, you hadn’t even noticed that the men’s chatter from the other room had turned into silence.

“Hey, they gone?” you ask, turning your head back.

“Yeah, cab…both shared the cost of a cab..” he explains.

You nod and turn back to your book as he goes into the bathroom to brush his teeth and use the toilet. Shirtless and in just his boxers, he then comes out and lifts the bed covers to slide in where gets a sight of your bare bottom.

“Whoa…doll, where are your panties?”

“Hm?” you hum, looking away from your book.

“Panties” he repeats, giving one of the cheeks of your bum a double squeeze as he slips into his side of the bed.

“Oh, right I read somewhere that it does good to let her breathe from time to time from the usual confinement of underwear” you say, stretching over to put your book on the little side table.

“Talk about a good read,” he says, scooting into the center of the bed to pull you into your spooning position.

“What about these,” he then asks, slithering his hands up to cup your braless breasts above your shirt, “did you read anything about letting these breathe?”

“Ooo, bold” you remark jokingly; you can’t believe you hadn’t realized you were dealing with a borderline drunk Sirius. To be fair though, even sober he was crass but a heck of a lot more subtle with it (well, as subtle as crass can be anyway).

“I think you might have overdone it a little with the drinks tonight” you add.

Sirius lazily chuckles into your hair. “Yeah, I think I did,” he admits as you quietly laugh.

He moves his hands from your breasts to the bottom of your shirt and then lets them slide up slowly under the fabric to cup your bare breasts now; sloppily, he also begins kissing at your neck.

“Hey there handsy, I love you but we’re not going to do anything tonight” you make yourself tell him, even though his lips and fondling together are surefire ways to get you warm at your center.

‘Either both sober or both tipsy’ was the rule. It was hard to deny him when you were soberly conscious and could consent to wanting it but it was a rule you both respected nonetheless.

“I know, I know sorry. You’re just s’fucking beautiful and so effortlessly sexy. James and Remus like to talk about how the bachelor life is treating them well but little do they know how good it feels to have you in their bed every night. A pantie-less you for that matter” he snickers, letting his hands travel to get a hold of your bottom.

“Okay well,” you begin saying as you stretch over to turn off your lamp, “you definitely need some sleep smooth talker.” In the dark now, you turn in to face him and place a hand at his cheek to caress it while the other holds his jaw. “Maybe tonight wasn’t the best night to try out what I read.”

“Hey no, no, sorry I’ll behave” he assures, wrapping his hands quickly at your midriff, appropriately above the fabric of your shirt now. “Promise.”

“Mhm, right. Well I love you,”

Kiss -

“So much baby,”

Kiss -

“Goodnight” you say, gifting him one last smooch before letting your head cuddle down at his chest and closing your eyes.

“And I love you doll, so very fucking much” he murmurs at the top of your head. He tightens his hold on you and not even a second later, is comfortably out like a light. <3

#sirius black x reader #sirius black #sirius black imagine #sirius black fic #sirius black x you

342 notes · View notes

amorgansgal · 15 days

Text

So it's been a while since I've written any fanfiction (sorry RDR2 lot) but I've definitely been captured body and soul by Baldur's Gate 3 and I bashed this out this morning. I appreciate fully not many might read this as it does concern my own named tav, Vanya, and I just fancied doing a little creative writing. But if anyone does, hope you enjoy. It's from Astarion's perspective.

Gods, she was annoying

Gods she was annoying. Astarion gritted his teeth as somehow, despite the exhausting fight they had just been through and long day of walking, Vanya babbled on! Gale walked by her side, smiling at her observations on nature, the dinner they had last night, the gnolls they had just fought, her thoughts on whether she would keep her long plait or do something different with her hair tomorrow. Astarion had assumed that all elves were some form of stoicism or stillness, he and Halsin certainly were, but Vanya seemed all too keen to prove the opposite was true!

She scurried around camp, a giddy smile on her lips, greeting people as she went and they would infuriatingly beam back at her, which he was sure just encouraged her. It had taken them goodness knows how long to get out of the druid’s enclave because Vanya had stopped to chat with anyone and everyone, even the bloody animals! She’d almost been pickpocketed by one of the tiefling’s kids to boot because she had to stop to speak to the lad’s sister and Astarion managed to grab hold of the child’s arm before he could wriggle something out of Vanya’s pocket.

‘Really? I didn’t know there were many coastal druids,’ Gale’s comment to Vanya interrupted Astarion’s musings.

‘Oh no, not many. It’s a bit of a strange calling, most elves like the forests or freshwater lakes or rivers, but we’re there! But I do like the forests too, there aren’t so many animals you can really adopt from the sea, I can’t keep a pet fish on my travels, though I did have a crab. He was very sweet, if a bit nippy.’

Gale’s laugh made Astarion clench his teeth. The greater annoyance Astarion had was somehow, for some unfathomable reason, he was beginning to like Vanya. She did everything seemingly to irritate him, launching herself into fights without so much as a by-your-leave, chaotically flinging around firebolts and laughing joyously as she did! She evidently, rarely ever thought a little tact, decorum and deception would go a long way to avoid a battle, but such things were impossible for Vanya if she thought someone was being wronged or hurt.

And yet, despite all of her many faults and flaws, she was winning him over and he wasn’t even sure how or when she had begun to do so. Well, he knew what had triggered it, him telling her he wouldn’t sleep with her the night of the tieflings’ party. But the fact he didn’t find her desirable didn’t seem to bother her - she had gone round the entire camp flirting with anyone and everyone, leaving Gale flushed and Shadowheart wryly smiling and Halsin’s eyes following after her and even godsdamn Lae’zel looking at her differently. For him, she was too soft and round for his tastes. Round moon like face, messy red hair that swung behind her in its usual braid, freckles on her cheeks that put him in mind of someone splattering paint over a canvas, she did have beautiful blue eyes, he’d grant her that. And a fine neck. And he supposed that her body was… pleasing to most, but he wasn’t fussed by it. But in any case, it wasn’t finding her attractive that seemed to bother her, what seemed to niggle at her was him just not liking her. No one had to sleep with her, but she wanted everyone under the sun to like her.

He thought she might learn what he liked, someone who bit back, who could be playful and sharp and acerbic, who might spar with him. But she didn’t, she just was… sweet and nice and kind and it was sickening. She’d rifle through an abandoned box or bag in the old goblin camp and find him a dagger or a lockpicking kit and exclaimed excitedly, ‘Oh, Astarion! This is perfect for you, here you go!’ She happily passed him a book on necromancy, though even that made Gale and Wyll sigh with exasperation. Astarion found himself talking to her about Cazador, admitting to things that he hadn’t told anyone else and- How in the gods’ holy arses had she done it? She’d just been her usual self and slowly worn him down. Was this how she did it with everyone else? Did everyone, who didn’t like her initially, get a concerted effort from her in winning them over? There must be someone who it hadn’t worked on, someone who still didn’t like her however much of a joyful, excitable pup she was. Astarion was tempted to hunt them down and demand they tell him how they resisted.

‘How is it Vanya that you have gone through life, adventuring and fighting, without someone taking advantage of your good nature and naivete?’ Astarion asked pointedly, making Gale and Vanya look around at him. Gale gave him a look and Astarion smirked back at him. Yes, your precious little druid is foolish and overly familiar and one day she’s going to get herself into a mess because she can’t keep her mouth shut or diving head first into situations where she isn’t wholly sure on what’s going on, Astarion thought to himself.

‘Hmm,’ Vanya said, because gods forbid she couldn’t even think quietly! ‘I don’t know.’

Astarion scowled. ‘You don’t know, what do you mean you don’t know?’

‘Do we really have to squabble before getting back to camp?’ Shadowheart asked. Astarion clicked his tongue with irritation. He would’ve thought that even Shadowheart would remain a little contemptuous and irritated by Vanya too, but somehow the druid had worked her charm spell on everyone and Shadowheart had long given up on being cool and sharp with her, except on rare occasions. Too rare for his liking. Only Lae’zel was left, his remaining ally, who would deride Vanya’s softer side. And even then, the githyanki seemingly enjoyed Vanya’s wild attitude when it came to fights.

‘I guess people like me enough not to take advantage of me and the rest of the time it’s luck!’ Vanya said, turning back round to continue her conversation with Gale.

Astarion sputtered - which was the first time he had done such a thing, but how on earth could the woman be flippant about that too? ‘It’s just luck! No one has ever double-crossed you or used your good nature against you?’

Vanya pursed her lips in thought, then gave him a bright smile. ‘No, not yet. At least, not as far as I know, maybe they did and I just didn’t know about it!’

Gale burst out laughing and Vanya quickly joined him, though Astarion was sure she didn’t quite fully grasp on why such a thing was funny. Astarion glared at their backs and then at the ground. Godsdamn stupid druid with her stupid smile and stupid laugh and careless, thoughtless attitude and everyone in camp encouraging her.

‘You wouldn’t know half the time you had a parasite in your head from the way you take absolutely nothing seriously and waste time gadding about!’ he snapped. The laughter died immediately and while he kept his eyes fixed on Vanya, a tiny flicker of guilt crept into his stomach when he saw the small amount of reproach in her expression.

‘I do take things seriously,’ she said, her voice suddenly even tempered and cool and measured. It had been what he wanted for weeks, but the tone of it felt wrong and so unlike her that he felt compelled to look away from her unfaltering gaze. ‘I’m worried about the tadpoles, i’m worried about all of you. It would kill me if anything were to happen to anyone here. But I spent a lot of my life not being able to laugh or find joy in things or meeting anyone new and getting to know them, and it’s no way to live, Astarion. So if I seem foolish or irreverent, it’s only because I don’t wish to wallow. I don’t wish to be serious and unable to crack a joke and make people laugh. And what is the good of being stoic and serious all the time? We are infected and there’s not much we can do to change that until we get to Moonrise towers. So I’m not going to sit in camp, feeling sorry for myself, languishing and getting upset when I can’t do anything about it. I may as well find joy where I can.’

‘Hear, hear,’ Gale said, and Astarion could have ripped his head off, but more because he felt… bad… for making Vanya feel bad. When she had spoken about not being able to laugh or meet new people, it didn’t sound like something she had chosen for herself or a malady affecting her in that way, it sounded like she was… coerced, controlled, ordered and he knew all too well the pain of that. Maybe she hadn’t suffered quite like him, but it sounded like whoever had done that had tried to crush her.

The serious, sorrowful look on her face rapidly shifted and she smiled at him once more, though it looked a little forced and tired for once, and the guilt in his chest blazed hotter, tightening around his heart and throat. He was grateful they were so near camp and Vanya whipped round as Scratch (one of her blasted pets she had picked up) barked and came running up to greet them.

‘Scratch!’ Vanya cried happily and charged off, ruffling his fur and laughing as the dog licked her face and playfully bounced around. ‘I missed you! I missed you so much, how’s my good boy, my goodest of boys? You want to play? Come on, let’s go play! I left your ball in the chest, come on!’ The dog eagerly bounded after her.

Shadowheart left them to take off her armour and to wash, so Gale and Astarion were the only two left of the party who were still watching Vanya hunt through the travellers’ chest for Scratch’s ball. Astarion was about to make his way to his own tent when Gale caught hold of his sleeve.

‘Look, I know you don’t like her,’ Gale began.

‘I never said that,’ Astarion muttered, because the frustrating truth was he did like her.

‘But don’t hurt her in order to bring her down. She might handle things differently and sometimes her relentless optimism can be… a little much, but we need a cheery sort around camp. I think we’re all too serious sometimes. And I get it, someone will hurt her eventually and it might sour her and make her less willing to laugh and trust others, but I like her the way she is. So leave her be.’

And before Astarion could say anything in reply, Gale had already began walking over to join Wyll and Halsin by the fire, and Astarion didn’t know how to explain that he both couldn’t stand Vanya, but also liked her far too much.

#astarion #astarion x tav #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #bg3 astarion #baldur's gate 3 astarion #gale x tav #baldur's gate 3 fanfiction #baldur's gate 3 fanfic

30 notes · View notes

mydarllinglover · 2 months

Text

Stars Collided || Sixteen

The three were blindfolded, as they were escorted to a new place.

"Ani, Snips." Lovisa spoke, hurriedly. "Thank you, for being the first friend's I've ever had, and caring about me more than who I am to the Kingdom, but for me, you have no Idea what it means to me, and I... I love you, both, I'm so sorry you're in this, because of me-"

"It's not because of you" Ahsoka cut her off, with a snappy tone. "Don't do that to yourself."

"We're not going to die, M'lady, we'll figure it out, I know it, don't embarrass yourself by admitting your inner thoughts, too soon." Anakin told her, a slight teasing in his tone

"It does not matter to me even if you both are paid to be in my presence, you have treated me with so much kindness and humility, than anyone ever has."

"Lovisa, stop it, I can not have my last moments with you being... sentimental, don't ruin my image of you."

"We're not going to die" Anakin repeated.

"Shut it!" A guard told them, as he took off their blindfolds, and they were dragged along, by their chains, into what looked like an large arena, stands full of people shouted and jeered, chucking things down, as they walked below them.

Four pillars stood, in the middle, and that's when they spotted someone chained to the first one.

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked.

"Anakin? What on earth are you doing here? And the Princess, Anakin!"

"I was protecting her, Master!" He defended, as they were also chained to the pillars.

Lovisa quickly ran her fingers through her hair, grabbing a clip, from her thick curls, just as the guard walked over to chain her, between her two friends.

"Good job." The man nodded, with sarcasm.

"Death to the royals!" The crowd had started to chant, upon noticing Princess Lovisa, in attendance.

"Ignore them, Lovey." Ahsoka told the girl, who looked around, a worried look on her face.

"Who- Is that the handmaiden?" Obi-Wan stretched to peer at the last pillar. "Anakin, you had strict instructions!"

"This isn't the time, right now!" The boy cut off the man.

"Ladies and Gentleman!" They looked up, where a group of people were stood, Count Dooku, General Grievous, the man who had captured them, a boy by his side, and Jabba the Hut, a large round man, who referred to himself as king, among the people of his small occupation, though, he was no such thing. "We have a somewhat special guest for you, tonight, though, not as special as her sister. The spare, Princess Lovisa Amidala, of Naboo!" Jabba the hut, introduced, as a bright light shone down on her, almost blinding the girl.

"Cunt!" Voices roared.

"Traitor"

"Kill her!"

"Bitch!"

"Down with the Royals!"

The people were angry, as their voices carried, some were hoarse, as they strained their vocal boxes.

They continued to throw things, at her, as she attempted to shield her face, with her arms.

"...Let the show begin!" Jabba bellowed, after allowing the crowd to finish their threats, a wide smirk plastered to his gruesome face.

A large bell was rang, announcing the beginning of their end.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." Anakin commented.

Without waiting to see what was at stake for her, Lovisa got to work on needling the clip into the lock of the chains, breaking it from the inside, a skill she had mentally thanked Padme, for teaching her, many times.

"Oh my god!" She heard Ahsoka gasp, beside her.

Lovisa spared a look, over her shoulder, as she wiggled her hands free.

An gate was being raised, as a mass variety of all sorts of animals walked out, letting out a range of different sounds, causing goosebumps to raise along her skin.

She got to work of undoing Ahsoka's chains, as she could hear Anakin and Obi-Wan conversing their own escape.

"Up, go up!" Lovisa rushed, as she marched back to her own podium, using the chains to hoist herself up, so that she could stand on top of it, and far out of the way of the beasts, that looked hungry.

Ahsoka copied the girl, as she also got to the top of her own.

"Just relax, concentrate." Obi-Wan told his Padawan.

"But, what about the girls?" He asked, looking at his master.

"They seem to be on top of things." Obi-Wan shrugged, looking at the two, as they stood, assessing the arena.

"What?" Anakin looked over, to be amazed at the sight, how had they done that?

An large animal, with horns along its nose, charged at Obi-Wan, and he used this to his advantage, dodging out of the way, allowing it to pierce his chains, setting him free from his pillar.

Another went for Anakin, and using the force, as well as his own chains, he hoisted himself up, jumping into the air, and flipping onto it's back, breaking the connection of the metal, to the pillar.

An white catlike animal had claimed Lovisa, as it attempted to climb the pillar to get to her, but she used her chain, as a whip, to beat it down, seeming to anger it more.

That's when it jumped once more, just managing to claw her back, leaving deep scratches, as she wailed in pain.

Ahsoka watched, as Anakin was dragged off of his ride, being pulled along in the sand and dust, as the animals began fighting each other.

She waved her own chains down, grabbing the attention of two of the animals, as they both hurtled towards it, and just in time, she yanked them up, letting them collide into each other, dragging the animal that was attacking Lovisa, into their fight, taking the focus off of her.

Anakin, somehow, had managed to tame his, being able to hop back onto it, using his chain as a lasso, before turning It into a harness, for his beast, as Obi-Wan, continued to taunt his own, even managing to get it to knock down his pillar, as he claimed an long electric shocker, from one of the guards, who had been leering the animals over towards their captees.

Lovisa stood tall, as Anakin rode his beast towards her pillar, halting to just below it.

"Jump!" He shouted.

She braced herself, before doing just that, landing behind him, her arms instantly wrapping around his waist, as she kissed his cheek.

"What about me?!" Ahsoka called.

"Hurry up, Snips!" Anakin called to her, moving closer.

Ahsoka took a deep breath in, before throwing herself down, and landing behind Lovisa.

Obi-Wan had managed to get on top of his own beast, as he rode it over towards them.

"What now?" Lovisa asked.

A group of large looking scorpions, rolled from the gates, circling the two beasts.

"You just had to ask." Ahsoka breathed out.

They watched, as Jedi swarmed the arena, unsheathing their swords, and that's when they spotted Master Windu, speaking with Count Dooku.

Guards ran into the new battlefield just as the Jedi had, battling each other, as Anakin and Obi-Wan avoided the crossfire, on their beasts.

"Here, found these, thought you may need them." A Jedi shouted, as they tossed swords at the two, who were quick to grab them, cutting all the existing chains, and joining the battle.

"Gimme that!" Ahsoka demanded, shoving a guard, and taking their sword, she was glad that Colo had took pleasure in teaching the handmaiden tricks and defensive moves, as they waited for their dear princess to finish her lessons for the day, something that she had been unaware of.

Lovisa crawled along the floor, keeping low, as she avoided the many people, rubble, animals, and gunfire.

She found a lone gun, jumping up and shooting at anything that didn't resemble a Jedi.

As they continued to fight, Lovisa and Anakin had found themselves pushed together, assessing the battlefield.

"You don't seem so helpless." He commented.

"I always said I could protect myself." She raised a brow at him, shooting down a guard.

The corner of his mouth raised, as he watched her, before forcing himself back into defence mode.

"Wait- Is that?" Lovisa gasped, and they looked over, to see all three puppies were among the fighting, the three of them were chewing at the trouser leg of one of the guards, knocking him down, as they continued to attack him.

"Artoo!" Anakin called, excitedly.

The Jedi, as well as the Princess and the Handmaiden, were forced into a circle, as the guards kept coming, surrounding them.

But then, they had come to a stand still, dropping their weapons, as they stared at the Jedi, waiting on orders.

The Jedi had also lowered their swords, as they looked around.

"Master Windu." Count Dooku called down. "You have fought gallantly... worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now. It is finished. Surrender and your lives will be spared."

"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku!" Master Windu refused.

"Then, I'm sorry, Old friend." Count Dooku nodded, and the guards had raised their weapons, once more.

Anakin twirled the sword in his hand, as he prepared to resume the fighting.

"Look!" Lovisa shouted, noticing what others hadn't.

Hundreds of soldiers, being led by Master Yoda, marched into the arena, as they shot down the guards, surrounding the Jedi, spurring them on, to join the fight.

One, on top of a horse, rode over to Anakin and Lovisa, blocking them both from the battle.

"I have strict orders to get the princess out and far away from here." He said, to Anakin.

"Go." Anakin told her, as he grabbed her waist, to lift her up on top of the horse.

"No! I will stay and help!" She demanded.

"You will not, you will get on this horse, and let..."

"Rex, sir." The man introduced himself.

"And let Rex take you to safety, understood?"

"Anakin!"

"Don't argue with me." He told her, as he put her on top of the horse. "Rex, do not let any harm come to the princess."

"I won't sir, I'll bet my life on it."

"Good, get her out of here!" He smacked the back of the horse, making it cry out, before galloping away.

"Where are you taking me?!" Lovisa yelled.

"Base, your highness, they'll meet us back there."

Lovisa looked behind her, watching Anakin fight against the guards, it was almost like a dance, how graceful and persistent he was, her heart swelled at the sight, as he got smaller, and smaller.

#anakin fanfiction #anakin x reader #anakin imagine #anakin x you #star wars anakin #sw anakin #anakin skywalker #anakin skywalker x reader smut #obi wan and anakin #ahsoka tano #anakin star wars #anakin and padme #anakin skywalker x reader #anakin smut

27 notes · View notes

jerzwriter · 5 months

Text

If it's not late, it's probably not me! Not for all things, but for a whole lot, so it's with my sincere apologies that I post this "Countdown to 2024" on the 9th day of the year!

Now, I'm going to be honest: I started to write this, and the list got huge. HUGE. And while I like to spread the love and be as inclusive as I possibly can, at some point, it began to look like an amalgamation of everything I've read in the year. So, I decided to scale back and follow the rules (gasp!) ... sort of... lol

See, I don't think writer appreciation should be limited to these events. Writer... creator... appreciation is a living, breathing act that should take place year-round. Each time you comment, share, or even leave a little ❤️ on a fic, you're showing your appreciation, gratitude and, honestly, you're serving yourself, because that simple act may be the very thing that tips the scale and makes your favorite say, "You know what, yeah! I'm going to keep doing this."

So, to every single writer in the fandom - thank you. I tried to show you love throughout 2023, and I hope to do more of that in 2024... you all mean so much to me!

But, I'm limiting this to three (and lawd that really was NOT easy) lol

When I closed my eyes and thought of the last year in fics, this is what came to my mind...

One...

@alj4890 - Seriously, I feel she is a writer who deserves so much more love than she gets. And, if y'all were smart, you'd take the time to change that in 2024! I love the passion that she has for every one of her pairings, even though she knows my favorite will always be Tobias x Chris (OH). Whether being light and witty or delving into deep emotion, your fics are always touching and beautifully written. I'm excited whenever I get a tag from you! Some of my favorites in 2023 were Visceral Reaction, Holding On, Nope (I had to give Trystan x Cameron some love, too!) and you know I was just crazy about The Wake. What a great concept! But I wouldn't be mad if you got back to Mixed Signals. Selfishly, I hope 2024 brings you more time to write, but honestly, I just hope it brings you joy!

Two...

2023 will always be the year that I fell in love with Crimes of Passion, and with that, I discovered another corner of our community and the many talented writers within it. I will forever bow to the queen of Crimes fics (yes, you @inlocusmads - there needs not to be a vote; it has been decreed! And New York, June 2014 was one of the first things that came to my mind when recalling this year's fics!) I got to learn about some writers I was not familiar with previously (shout out to @shreyamistry - your Trystan x M!MC Fanfic lives on in my mind, and I'm always hoping for a follow-up!) It gave me the opportunity to see some of my old favorites soar in a different place (hello @storyofmychoices @trappedinfanfiction and @lilyoffandoms - Lily, can we please have more Trystan x Gabriel all day every day??? PLEASE). And it did something I love more than anything: it allowed us all to see new creators step up and share their love and talent with us, and right now, I'm looking at @stars-are-within-me and @moominofthevalley Crimes wouldn't have been as enjoyable without you. @stars-are-within-me, I appreciated you taking the time to give us parts of the story that Pixelberry failed to address. In my opinion, the best was The Favorite Brother, and I may be a little biased, but I loved the beautiful trio of stories you wrote for me in the Secret Santa (Airport, Angel, and Cookies). You're so supportive of everyone, I'm so glad you're a part of our fandom! @moominofthevalley your writing is just beautiful, and I have found myself lost in your Trystan x Emily stories on so many occasions. It's hard to pick a favorite, but Heavy is Her Heart , The Girl With The Glass, and Turpentine stick out in my mind. You are masterful in conveying emotion, and these fics are perfect examples of that.

Three...

(You see how I cheated here, sort of? lol) I will never be able to look back on 2023 and NOT think of the hijinx of Ethan x Merida, Bryce x Olivia, and Tobias x Casey. They wouldn't have been possible if not for the vision and talent of the incomparable @lilyoffandoms and @storyofmychoices. Sure, "they" were born in the end of 2022, but they grew up in 2023! The way I smile when whenever I see a notification for another story with our babies! I love every single one of their shenanigans, but two that stand out to me were Mystery Unlocked by @storyofmychoices and When Husbands Become Prey by @lilyoffandoms (the way I CACKLED when I saw that title! lol). These six were a highlight of 2023, and I know there is much more to look forward to this year! Love you both, and love our babies!

And four... because I be like that lol

I can't not mention @mydemonsdrivealimo because 2023 was the year of Jensen in my book. And while I loved your works from earlier this year (looking at you Your Love and What I'm Becoming), I have to admit, Halloween owns me... and not jus because of the connection to Noah. lol Your descriptive writing and the way you convey painful emotions are just brilliant.

Thank you to each and every one of you for bringing a smile to our faces or tears to our eyes this year, and thank you for helping the fandom move along! ❤️

@choicesfandomappreciation

#playchoices #choices fandom appreciation #open heart #crimes of passion #writer appreciation

22 notes · View notes

wisteria-cherry · 10 months

Text

forty days and forty nights (day seventeen!)

(merry christmas cherry blossoms)

(i decided to post on saturdays too because i got impatient)

on the third day, bakugo still hadn’t returned. takumi was working with you for the third day in a row, and she still wouldn’t tell you anything.

“sorry, i have to get back to work,” she’d say. “maybe you should ask someone else.” this was disorienting. you didn’t even understand why she wouldn’t tell you.

“please, takumi?” you pleaded. it was kind of pathetic, if you were being honest with yourself. takumi was young, younger than you. she couldn’t be older than 17. she was definitely pretty, too, with long, straight, sandy blonde hair and bangs to frame her pale face nicely, with icy blue eyes that now bore into yours in a constant state of deadpan.

“i’m going to refill the baked goods cabinet.” takumi turned away.

“can’t you at least tell me why you won’t say?” you called. takumi paused.

“because it’s not for me to tell you.” she said, ever wise beyond her years.

“oh.” was your equally wise response as takumi went to the back to do what she’d promised.

for me to find out. you mused takumi’s words as you made rounds, refilling drinks and making sure everyone was taken care of. but how do i find out? you frowned slightly as you poured mrs. hatsugawa her earl grey tea.

you’d just finished refilling another regular’s coffee— ed, an old man who hailed from the United States. he was completely in love with mrs. hatsugawa and really only came to the cafe to see her, too shy to make conversation. however, she was still very in love with her late husband, so it was really a bittersweet, unrequited love that you witnessed every day. ed was always friendly.

“thank you, dear,” ed smiled at you. you wanted to giggle like a schoolgirl— ed, whether intentionally or not, tended to mimic mrs. hatsugawa’s tendencies, like calling younger folks “dear”.

“of course, ed,” you smile before returning to the counter.

how do i find out? you considered for a moment. well, how did other people find out?

they asked, obviously. so, as soon as you got home from your horrifically long shift, you were back on your phone, ready to text bakugo.

your finger hovered over the send button as you stared at your message to him—

hey, you ok?

you deleted the message. maybe you’re making a big deal out of this. maybe he was fine and just didn’t want to get coffee at the café anymore.

maybe it was your fault.

you instantly shook the thought away. he liked you. even mina, during your wednesday outing, had told you what a marvel it was that bakugo was actually tolerant of you. you tried again.

you haven’t come in for awhile, people are talking about you.

no, that won’t do. that makes it seem like you’re trying to make him feel guilty for not coming in. of course, he probably wouldn’t feel guilty, but the point still stands. you stared at the previous messages between you two. there weren’t many. just bakugo telling you mina’s address for the party last week and you thanking him. he didn’t reply after that.

working on your caffeine addiction?

now that just seemed rude, too. one coffee a day isn’t an addiction. plenty of people had one coffee a day and weren’t addicted. you deleted it.

i miss you

delete.

come back soon, won’t you?

delete.

hey bakugo! how’ve you been?

hm.

acceptable.

you figured that it wouldn’t get much better than that. so, you sent it, deciding that it was late and you should go to bed.

you didn’t sleep that night.

“that’s for you to find out.”

(don’t forget to comment + give ur thoughts :)

@k0z3me @cherryblossomclarity @jazzafaye5294

#bakugou katsuki #katsuki bakugo #bakugo katsuki #bakugo x reader #bakugou #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bnha #katsuki bakugo oneshot #mha #slow burn #pro hero bakugo x reader #dynamight #bakugo slow burn #coffee shop au

42 notes · View notes

alltoolewis · 2 years

Note

Hi if it's not too much trouble would you be interested in writing a story with Lando where him and the reader are chilling at home, joking around when Lando grabs her hand and tracing the lines on her palm, says he can read futures and the reader plays along and says something like oh yeah what do you see in my future? And Lando just looks up smiling and goes "us."

Sorry if this is crude but I really don't know how to explain it better

Fortune Teller- Lando Norris

This is so cute omg! Thank you so much for sending me it & no need to apologise it's not crude at all, hope you enjoy & sorry it is sort of short🤍

Days like this were rare for you and Lando. Instead of the usual rushing around, packing up for race weekends, or last-minute face-timing, you were instead spending your Sunday curled up on the sofa, old re-runs of friends on the TV as you sat there in your lovers arms, book perched in your hand.

"What you reading...?" Lando sang, looking over your shoulder to have a look himself. "The deal" You sang back, looking up to him with a smile on your face "Want to read it with me?" You giggled, as he instantly scrunched his face up in disgust "I'm taking that as a no then" From your years of dating Lando, you knew he wasn't as in to books as you, if anything he called them his biggest enemy, claiming that they steal you away from him !

Putting the book down you span in his arms, causing you to sit cross-legged on his lap. "What do you want to do then if my books are too disgusting for you?" Lando thought for a minute before he grabbed a hold of your hands.

"You know what I found out when I was little..." He muttered, concentrating on following the patterns on his palms. "What?" You whispered, not wanting to break the little trance he was in. "I can read futures!" You tried your best to not laugh at his little comment, but you couldn't help a little giggle to come out "What I can?!?!" Lando pouted.

"Oh really?" You smiled, pecking his cheek "What do you see in our future? Is it looking good?"

Lando didn't reply for a few minutes as he continued to 'read' your palms. The was something at the moment that took your breath away, you didn't know if it was either the way he was concentrating so closely on 'looking at the future or the way his fingers danced so effortlessly across your hand. Finally he looked up to you, a huge beaming smile on his face "Yeah... It looks very very good."

"Oh yeah?" you smiled "What do you see?" Without hesitation, he replied looking up with a huge smile...

"Us"

Your heart melted at his words, as tears sprung into your eyes "Your so cute.." You sighed, tears now falling out of your eyes as you wrapped your arms round his neck "I love you so much..."

"I love you too.." Lando whispered in your ear, tucking away loose strands of hair.

"I really hope that's right... cause I can't wait now..."

Letting you drop your head to his shoulder, Lando smiled pecking the top of your head "Oh don't worry... I'm letting you go anywhere!"

Lando carried on explaining what he had 'seen'. Going into detail about your wedding, and how many children you were going to have. And your heart felt like it could burst... you could have sat there for hours letting him talk about what the future had to offer and although nothing was certain... you knew you had him!

"Lando...? My little fortune teller" You smirked, turning your head to look at him as he let out a hum. "Did we have a dog? y'know in the future?"

"No." He replied quickly, without hesitation causing you to pout.

"Well.... can we get one!"

"We can't mess with the future (y/n)!" He smirked, pecking your lips gently, before grabbing your hand again "But because your so cute, I'll have another look!"

#lando norris #lando norris imagine #lando norris one shot #lando norris x reader #formula one #f1 #formula one story #formula one blurb #lando norris blurb

407 notes · View notes

thefloatingpickle · 2 years

Text

All Shook Up part 2

A bored, lonely librarian gets a break from the mundane when a night out leads to a meeting with Tom Bennett. Tom!FemOC Older woman (not by much)

No triggers for this part. Please forgive grammar errors and the like, I’m still shaking off some dust.

The following Tuesday at Central was passing like moss as Addie flipped through a rather large tome about one of the many french revolutions. She hadn’t seen the girls since Friday with them only coming in Tuesdays and Thursdays to do their shelving, but she was curious to hear how the rest of the party had gone. If she was being honest with herself she was also anxious to find out if Tom had spilled the beans about their walk home to Tilly as well. Not as much the way it ended, but she wasn’t elated by the thought of them knowing she had gotten herself caught by two idiots because she was too snared up in her own thoughts to be aware of her surroundings. In all of her time walking home alone on the streets of Chicago she had learned to be wary of being alone in the dark and she felt in a way like she had let herself down. She was starting to zone out rereading the same passage about peasants breaking into royal housing to forcibly remove the current head of state when the doors to the non fiction section were thrust open and the sounds of Tilly and Becky’s laughter filled the air.

“Addie!” Tilly shouted as she skipped across the room to lean against the large wooden desk. “Did you have fun on Friday? Everyone said it was great fun having you round for the night.” “She smiled up at the girl. It had occurred to her over the weekend that, even though she hadn’t admitted it to herself previously, the two girls were really her only friends in the area. She hadn’t been kind enough to treat them as such. “I did, your friends are a fun group Tilly. I am glad you seemed to be having fun.” “She was until Tom left her hanging again.” Becky popped up from behind her with a teasing tone. “He did not! Tom and I aren’t anything, for the last time.” The newly twenty year old young woman turned her attention back to Adaline, “Though he did have a lot of questions about you when he came around on Sunday.” Addie felt heat rising to her cheeks as she fought back her interest. “Oh? That’s curious, we hardly spoke at all.” “Right…” Tilly’s face shifted to a look of disapproval. “Until he walked you home that is?” She was busted. “We ran into each other on the way back, it wasn’t anything intentional.” “Well he said it was a nice conversation, wanted to know just about everything I had to tell about you.” trying not to panic she moved to sus out exactly how much he had spilled about their walk together. “It was a nice talk. Short though, only a few blocks. He caught up to me near the alley on Beaumont street.” Tilly let a small smile cross her lips “He said you were a bit turned around, so he showed you the way back to yours. He likes to be helpful like that when he can, ‘specially if he thinks it may impress a lady.” With that she shuffled off to find Becky and the two got to work.

There was no way to tell if she knew they had kissed, not much had been given away by her brief explanation of his telling of their time together so on lunch Addie decided instead of hiding in the office and trying to blow the smoke from her cigarette out the small window like normal she would probe the conversation further. “I was surprised to see him on the road after the party, the two of you seemed to be well engaged when I left.” She added an air of teasing interest over the comment as she inclined her back against the stacks opposite the blonde. “Nah, that’s just Tom being familiar. We’ve known eachother since we were kids. But he said he had mentioned as much while you were walking.” Clearly caught, Addie decided just to be blunt. “What else did he say about the walk?” Tilly seemed a bit annoyed now, “Just that you came across one another on the road, you were lost. He offered to help you home, you asked him about how we knew one another. Then he said he mentioned coming by the library to see you and that you cut it off saying he was too young.” She felt an instant relief.

“He is too young.” “Well that’s a matter of your point of view I suppose. Tom has always liked them older, it’s gotten him in some trouble over the years.” “Trouble?” Tilly grinned over at Addie, aware of the interest in her voice. “Yeah, when we were seventeen he got himself caught up with a married woman. She was only twenty, but her husband didn’t like catching him in their bed none. The girl was married to a man who was nearly thirty, treated her like dirt too. Tom was sweet with her, I think it was the only time I’d seen him really invest in someone.” Tilly was aware of the curious silence in the air. “He’s not bad Tom, just rough. His mom died young, and his dad wasn’t one for raising younglings. Most of it fell to his sister, so he was allowed to rampage from pretty young. It gained him some experience past his age. Though I wouldn’t call him a picture of maturity or anything.” Tilly put her books down then and turned to face Adaline full on, “But he is good when he wants to be, and kind. Has a lot to give someone just keeps himself from giving it, if you catch my meaning.” Addie nodded and turned to leave but Tilly had one more thing to add. “Don’t blow him off just cuz he’s a bit younger than you think you want. He could surprise you.”

Back at the desk after eating the day continued to mull by at a snail's pace. Addie couldn’t stop thinking about her friend's words. Maybe she had dismissed Tom too harshly, twenty was young, but he’d been near taking care of himself for years from the sound of it. Besides that she had to admit to herself she hadn’t been able to keep the thought of their kiss from her mind for more than a moment or two since Friday night. He’d been so sure of himself, and she’d liked it. A group of students in looking for books on the last war gave her something to keep her mind occupied until it was time to punch out for the day. Walking down the main steps from the employee lockers to the front door she ran in to the girls again. “Off home for the night then?” Becky asked looking a bit devious, “Yes, I am. I don’t know what else a person would do on a Tuesday night.” “Well if you want to have a bit of fun we are meeting some of the lads from Friday and a couple girls you don’t know in the park for a couple rounds.” “You’re just going to sit in the park and drink?” She couldn’t help sounding a bit judgemental. “Well the boys are having an arm wrestling tournament. The last time we had one in the pub they were kicked out for fighting over one guy cheating.” The two young ladies giggled as they crossed arms walking towards the park. “There will be some older chaps there, for the tournament, they’ve set up prizes and everything. Might be better than another afternoon alone.” Tilly looked hopeful as they baited the older girl. Addie thought about how she had enjoyed having company on Friday, and how she had told herself she would do more to enjoy her time in London after spending another boring Saturday morning trying to find anything other than her library work to report home about in the several letters she had penned. Arm wrestling sounded like it could be fun, and besides it couldn’t hurt to meet some men her own age. “Alright then, to the park.” Surprised to find herself smiling, she caught up with the girls and they made their way down.

________

“Well if it ain’t the loveliest ladies of Central Library.” A boy she remembered as Nathaliel greeted them. “And Addie, you’ve come to join in again too!” Adaline tried not to be offended by clearly not being one of the loveliest ladies mentioned before. “Nice to see you again Nathaniel.” “Agh now call me Nate, all my mates do.” “Good to see you Nate.” Addie smiled back. The boy wrapped his arm around Tilly’s neck, and another she remembered as Luke came up and put his arm around Becky’s waist, greeting her with a kiss. “That’s brand new, started the night of my party,” Tilly leaned in with a whisper, “If you would have asked me to put money on it happening I would have lost out by a million.” Addie laughed and the pair found a seat on a picnic table surrounded by near strangers. Tilly took the time to tell Addie everyone's names, but they came at her so fast she hardly had time to pair them to the faces. “Who's up first?” Tilly asked looking to Nate, “No one yet in an official capacity,” Adaline couldn’t help but smile warmly at the boy's now serious tone in regard to the tournament. “But there are a few pairs warming up, everyones real serious since Tom got most of the lads to put in a crown towards the prizes.” Addie felt a lump gather in her throat. “I suppose I should’ve mentioned he’d be around here somewhere.” Tilly fained an apologetic look. “I suppose you should have.” Was all Adaline could get out in response.

“Right then, you can take yourself home and we’ll keep the crown if you’re going to be a cheater you twat.” The shout came from a couple tables over, buried in the crowd past view. “You tell’em Tom. We won't have any of that shit round these parts.” Nate yelled back. Tom's head popped up from his spot on the bench and he made his way over to them, shock clearly coming over him as he locked eyes with Addie. “Well ‘ello then lasses. Set free from your books I see.” He came to a halt just in front of the two women, a smirk growing. “Can’t keep us forever. Besides we have to start getting Addie out more or she may turn into one of the statues round the park.” Tilly let out a hearty laugh and the boys followed. “Surprised to see you here, and on a Tuesday nonetheless, with work in the morning.” The arrogance in his voice ground Addie's sense of propriety and she snapped back. “Not surprised to see you as the ringleader to this little game.” Annoyance passed over his features. “Well it may not be the sort of posh get together you’ve grown accustomed to throwing for yourself in your flat alone, but we make do.” “Tom!” Becky smacked him in the back of the head. “Do you know how hard it was getting her out with us in the first place? Don’t be rude now.” He rolled his eyes as he turned away. “I’m going to find a drink.”

Addie considered leaving for a moment but decided that the chance of meeting new people outweighed the aggravation of dealing with Tom’s immaturity. Several of the guys competing were rather good looking and Tilly made sure to introduce Adaline to as many as she knew. One particular man named Buck, with dark hair and eyes asked Addie if she would cheer for him as the night went on. “I always do my best with beauty at my side.” He was smooth and charming, so she agreed. Standing next to him at whichever table she watched him make his way through four rounds of wrestling. He was strong for his size, though none of the men could be considered particularly muscled in stature. When he beat his last competitor Luke, the boy Becky had been cheering for the youngen simply smiled, announced he’d done his best but he would be taking home a prize anyway and grabbed Becky by the hand to lead her into the nearby woods.

“You and me then Buck.” came from behind Addie as Tom plopped himself on the bench to her right. “You and me for it all Tom.” Buck had a cheshire grin and he put his arm on the table and readied himself for the challenge. Tom clasped his hand in Bucks and on the count of three the first of the rounds began. She could hear Tilly and Nate cheering for Buck playfully from the side but Addie found herself silent, watching intently as the two men struggled back and forth, it was a while before a flag went up on Buck's side of the table as he smashed Tom’s fist to the wood.

“That’s round one to me.” Buck said with a laugh as Tom looked irritated. “Yeah, yeah. I just lost my concentration a bit. Don’t go patting yourself on the back yet mate.” Tom shook out his arm and placed it back in position. Round two started with a shout and just before the men began their struggle Addie caught Tom’s eye watching her. He broke the glance almost immediately though and put himself to his task, smashing Bucks arm down fast enough to startle most standing to watch. “Right then, round three for all the crowns! Last chance to place bets on a winner.” Nate hollered from the sideline, the crowd scrambled to place their bets as the men shook out their arms for the last time.

Addie was watching Tom ready himself when Buck spoke up “Hey beauty, ain't heard a word from you since the match started.” Addie looked to Buck trying to find something to say as Tom spoke up, “Maybe she realized she picked the losing team Buck, can’t hold it against her if she wants to switch sides.” “I doubt that ya wanker, maybe the cat's got her tongue is all.” Addie rolled her eyes at that. “I assure you I speak perfectly well, just got caught up in the competition.” “Well then Addie who is it? Me or Buck, after all, someones gotta give the winner a kiss.” “I haven’t agreed to kiss anyone thank you!” Addie laughed out, taking a sip of the beer she’d been nursing most of the evening. “Leave her alone and get to your last round boys, it’s clear she’s not looking to kiss either of you, no surprise with the way you're acting.” Addie turned to the unknown girl in the crowd and gave her a thankful nod. “Right then, shall we?” Tom put his arm back at the ready and Buck followed. The call rang out and the match started with both men putting in all they had. Back and forth they pulled each other, both getting to the point where it seemed they had the other beat till at last Tom banged Buck’s hand against the wood so hard it let out a crack. “And the tournament goes to Tom!” Nate bellowed above the roar of applause and Tom stood smiling. Someone from behind handed him a fair sized sack clacking with coins and he reached across to shake Bucks hand. “Almost had you there mate, good win.” Buck was all smiles as he disappeared in the crowd to find a drink.

Everyone had broken off into clusters after the games ended. Addie was with Tilly and a few people she’d met during the evening having fun, but decided it was about time to be heading home for some real food and dinner before it got too late. She said her goodbyes and headed towards home. Coming out of the trees towards the entrance to the park she heard someone running up behind her.

“Hold on a bit.” Tom called out from a few yards back and after considering it a moment she stopped and waited. “Did pretty well for myself back there ey?” He said as he strode up beside her. “Yea, you surprised me to be honest. Congratulations.” “Surprised you?” He put his hand to his heart in pretend offense. “Don’t let my size lead you wrong, there's strong arms under this jumper.” Grabbing his biceps he grinned at her. “Have you eaten?” He changed his tone and met her eyes. “No, I was just heading home to make something.” “Let me take you somewhere? I’ve just won all this,” Shaking his cloth sack of winnings he finished, “and if I don’t use it well it’ll be wasted on pints.” She thought about it for a second and remembered Tilly’s words in the library. “We can grab something on the way, but I do need to get home. I have to feed my cat.” “Oh a cat, I love cats. There's a good spot thats quick at fish and chips on the way back to yours from here, we can pop in and grab some to go. And maybe some beer to have with it at yours?” She hadn’t really intended to have him up, she was hoping they would have found something they could eat as they walked, but he seemed over joyed that she had agreed and she didn’t have it in her to turn him away now. “We can have one beer, and eat. Then I need to get ready for bed.” “That’s a good deal to me.” He grinned, taking her hand in his as they made their way down the street.

He wasn’t wrong about the chips, they were done in just a few minutes and she stood awkwardly trying to think of a conversation. Finally she settled on asking more about his family, since Tilly had peaked her interest with her small telling of them earlier. “ Tilly says you live with your father and your sister?” “Yea, dads alright, Fancies himself a pacifist. My sister, well she’s great. All I’ve ever had looking after me really. And she’s a singer, damn good one too. Though her taste in men leaves something to be desired.” Addie laughed at that. “And what's wrong with the men she dates?” “Well I’d wager the same thing that's wrong with the men you date. Posh sorts, all noses up. This most recent bloke has her in a real tissy though.” “Why do you dislike posh people so much? Having money doesn’t make them bad.” “Don’t make ‘em any better than me though, does it? And they’ll sure act like it does.” They came up to her building quickly so she decided she’d let the subject drop. “Here we are.” Pulling open the main door to the lower floor then guided him up to her third floor flat.

She looked around in horror as they entered the room, empty cans of cat food from the weekend that she hadn’t thought to pick up yet, and dishes in the sink. “Sorry for the mess.” He didn’t seem to notice though, at least not enough to care. He was too busy drinking in his surroundings. Looking at the pictures she had hung on the walls, the magazines on her table, and most embarrassingly the novel she’d left sitting on the side table next to the couch. Open to one of the saucier passages. “So this is what fancy nonfiction librarians get themselves up to reading when they’re not at work ‘ey?” He didn’t look at her as he said it, instead reaching down to trace his fingers along the words in the passage. “That’s been there for weeks,” she lied, “one of the older women at work recommended it, I had no idea it was a romance,” “Uh-huh.” He grinned up at her as he made his way to a seat at the table.“Shall we then?”

She got plates and cups from the counter and he portioned out the food as she poured the drinks. “It’s a nice flat though, having the whole attic is a good get.” He looked around some more as he piled food in his mouth rather hastley. “Yeah, I was lucky to find it. The landlord is a bit of a pain, but it's got a good view from the bedroom, and it has a good sized tub.” His brows rose as she mentioned the tub, but before he could get out whatever had come to mind there was a thump, and her large orange tabby leapt up onto the table. “Sorry” she sighed as she took the cat off, “Over here Simon, I know it’s dinner time.” Pulling a can from the cupboard she ushered the cat over to a nearby window. “Well he’s a handsome chap innit he?” Tom got up with a wide smile and bent down near the tabby. Simon was more than happy to welcome the pets, totally distracted from his meal. “Yea, funny enough he came with the place. I moved in and he just kept running in behind me, so finally I let him stay.” “He knows a good thing when he sees it.” Tom looked up at her with a smirk. “I suppose so.”

Sitting back in front of her food she began eating with a bit more speed. “Rushing to get rid of me now are you?” He looked at her as he took his seat again, a bit of deviousness coming through his eyes. “No, I just, well it’s getting late.” “It’s only half past eight.” Pointing to the clock behind. “Do ’ya mind if I smoke?” “No, um, just at the window if you would.” She pointed to a smaller table next to a window with an ashtray and a game of solitaire started. He held one out to her in an offer, she joined him at the window leaning against the table as he stood against the wall. “Thank you for dinner. It was kind.” “I’m not always an ass, just mostly.” He joked, standing straighter as he caught her glance.

“I’ve been thinking about kissing you a lot.” She pondered how she wanted to move forward and decided to be honest. “I’ve been thinking about you kissing me alot.” He smiled then but not with as much confidence as she had expected. “I’ve been thinking I wish I’d done it differently.” “How’s that.” She bit her lip as he exhaled a cloud of smoke out the small window. “Donno, just wish I had done it more proper like. A good one.” “Well, I thought it was rather good if I’m being honest. If not surprisingly so.” He did look confident after that. “Oh yeah? Didn’t let you down with it then.” “How would a kiss let me down Tom” He laughed. “Clearly you haven’t had many kisses.” And it was true, she hadn’t.

She’d only had one serious boyfriend back in Chicago and while they had done about everything two people could do, she could think of only three or four other guys who had ever tried to kiss her. “No, I guess I haven’t.” She felt embarrassed then, so she put out her smoke and headed back to the table. “It’s a shame that, a woman like you should have so many kisses she can’t remember them all. Anything else seems a waste.” Taking his seat. “You know you’re a real sight to see Adaline.” His voice was nearly a whisper. “Am I?” She said not looking up. “Best I’ve seen, that's for sure.” He said placing one of his hands on her chin to bring her eyes to his. “I’d like to kiss you again if that’s alright?” He seems shy now in a way she hadn’t noticed before. “I think it would be.” He looked surprised, but didn’t give her the chance to change her mind before he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

It was softer than he’d been the first time, he gave her time to relax into it before softly flicking his tongue against her lips to gain access. She let him in as he pulled her closer, nearly on to his lap, wrapping one hand around her waist and the other around the back of her head. Threading his fingers through her hair. He still tasted like beer and cigarettes but she decided she liked it as she leaned forward closing the space between them. Her tongue found his and he let out a soft moan as their breath got heavier and the kiss deepened. She grabbed a handful of his sweater and held tight while he tightened his grasp on her hair, tugging just a little. She let out a small coo of her own as he pulled back slowly. “That’s how I should have done it.” He was slightly breathless as he ran the tip of his nose up the bridge of her own. “Yeah.” Was all she could get out as she fought to even her breathing.

“Do you still need to go to bed?” The question shook her from her trance state and she fought to regain her sense of self control. “I, uh, I do.” He was clearly let down, but sat back in his chair and grabbed his fork from his plate. “We should finish eating then huh?” He began picking at the now cold breaded fish and potatoes. “Tom,” She wasn’t sure what she wanted to say but she felt like she needed to say something. He didn’t look up from his plate so she continued. “I like kissing you Tom.” That caught his attention again. “I like kissing you, I’m just not sure about it.” He stabbed at a piece of fish hard enough to make her jump a bit. “Bloody hell Addie, I’m not trying to marry you. It’s just a bit of fun is all, nothing to get your gears turning over.” “Oh…” “No now come on.” He leaned forward and put his hands on her thighs. “I don’t mean it like that. I just mean it doesn’t have to be so serious so fast is all. It’s not like we have to run around telling everyone and making it a big deal.” She looked at her lap unsure.

He put his knuckle under her chin to make her look at him again. His face was soft, eyes gentle and brows slightly tight as he gave her a weak smile. “I’m saying we can keep kissing, and all that, but it doesn’t have to mean you have your mind made up about me.” He sat up, running his hands through his hair clearly trying to piece together the right words. Then like he’d had a stroke of genius he looked at her and grinned.

“Just let me show you. Let me stay the night, or even just a while longer. You call the shots, you tell me when it’s enough. And at the end of it, if you’re still not sure then I will leave you alone to make up your mind. But if it’s okay, if you feel okay about it. Then we just keep it close for a while. We hang out here, or with everyone like normal, but I don’t do anything to let on what's happening until you’re ready.”

Addie mulled it over, kissing Tom felt better than almost any experience she had had with a man before, and she could only imagine what more with him would be like.She liked the idea really, mostly for Tom, but also because there was a part of her that had felt like she was withering away in her flat night after night. She was twenty-five years old and had hardly any life experience. So she made up her mind, looking over to him, now pacing in front of the open window with a smoke in his hand she gave him her answer. “Okay Tom.” He stopped dead in his tracks, “What?” Shock coming from his eyes, and slightly agape mouth. “I said yes, you can stay.” He got the look of a predator on his face then as he crossed the room to her and reached to pull her from her chair. “We should clean up this dinner mess then.” He bent down and kissed her again, a quick kiss, then moved to begin clearing plates. Adaline wasn’t sure what she had just signed herself up for but she was equally nervous and excited.

#ewan mitchell #tom bennett #world on fire

49 notes · View notes

marion-ravenwood-jones · 10 months

Text

I have come bearing canon-divergent Indy/Marion fanfiction that I wrote instead of making a PowerPoint presentation that I am supposed to have done in an hour 🙃 @oh-caro here I wrote one 😂

Addition to the Family

“Well,” Marion sighed, setting her breakfast plate on the table a bit roughly.

What did I do now? Indy wondered, glancing at the clock on the wall. What could I have done at 8:15 on a Saturday morning? “Well?” He asked without looking up from the paper he was grading, deciding to take the bait. He heard her rummaging through the contents of the fridge, likely searching for the orange juice he’d finished a few minutes before she’d entered the kitchen.

“Well,” she shut the refrigerator door with another sigh, “you’re a father, Indy.”

He chuckled and glanced at the adoption papers lying on the table that stated that Wan Li, or as Indy and Marion called him, Short Round was now legally their son. “Yeah, I’ve been a father for three days. I think he’s in the living room listening to The Burns and Allen Show,” he said casually, grinning and turning his attention back to the second of many papers he needed to grade before Monday.

After hearing nothing else for a few seconds, not even Marion’s footsteps, he stopped reading and furrowed his brow. That was it? No complaints or accusations? Is there something I missed? Indy replayed the interaction in his head a couple of times as he turned around to look at his wife.

She had her back against the refrigerator, her eyes closed and the base of her thumb pressing the arch of her eyebrow upwards, something she did when she was trying to clear her head. “You’re a father, Indy.” What is she—

A lightbulb switched on in his head as she opened her eyes and her tearful, blue eyes met his incredulous, hazel ones. She didn’t mean— He nearly knocked over his chair in bolting up from the table and gripping her arms. “Marion!” He yelled in surprise, evoking a small crooked smile from her. That was the reaction she’d been waiting for. “You’re pregnant?!” He asked just a little quieter, beginning to shake.

She nodded and softly replied, “I- I think so,” searching his eyes for the security that she was currently lacking. They hadn’t discussed having a baby, and she was entirely confident that neither of them had envisioned, or, if she were completely honest, wanted another addition to the family so soon after Short Round’s adoption had been made official.

Indy took both of her hands in his, gently rubbing the backs of hers with his thumbs. “Did the doctor tell you? How do you know?”

“I- said I think, Indy, it’s not- not for sure,” she stammered, only relaxing slightly under his touch.

He paused. “Marion,” his volume was significantly lower than before. “honey, what symptoms have you had?”

“I threw up this morning,” she told him simply, offering no further explanation or reasoning.

“Yeah, go on,” he prompted, now stroking her face with one hand and continuing to hold one of her hands in his other.

“Go on?”

“Well, there’s more, isn’t there?”

Marion furrowed her brow and stared at him.

Indy stopped his caresses. “You think you’re pregnant because you threw up once?!” He was growing irritated that she had nearly given him a heart attack over a claim she had practically no basis for. Sure, it was a possibility, but it had been for over a year now, and she hadn’t blamed anything like a headache or an upset stomach on that possibility before.

Marion ripped her hand out of his and shoved him away from her. “It’s more than that, I just know, Indy! You’re making me sound ridiculous!” She shouted, then whirled around and opened the refrigerator to find something to drink.

“Come on, maybe you just had too much to drink last night,” he offered, having had no intentions to belittle her. Marion crossed her arms and glared at him, and he realized how stupid of a comment that was since she could drink nearly anyone under the table. “Well, maybe not that,” he laughed in an attempt to lighten the mood. He was still irritated, but he didn’t want Short Round’s first Saturday as their son to be riddled with tension and frustration.

She closed the refrigerator with a prolonged, exasperated sigh and said nothing more. Indy eyed her as she retrieved her favorite whiskey from a cabinet, and she proceeded to remove the top with the intention of drinking directly from the bottle. “You know,” Indy said gently, bracing himself for the explosion that would most certainly follow his next statement, “if you’re so sure about this, why don’t you hold off on the drinking for some time?”

Glass shattered. “NO MORE DRINKS?!?!”

#indiana jones #harrison ford #marion ravenwood #karen allen #raiders of the lost ark #indy x marion #indiana jones x marion ravenwood #post raiders era #short round #ke huy quan #fanfic #indiana jones fanfic

17 notes · View notes

heartofspells · 2 years

Text

NSFW and 18+ for conversation. And mild gaslighting of one James Potter.

@wolfstarmicrofic

Prompt: accident

(also over 1000 words, but shhh there was an understanding made. under 50K is fine)

"What were you even doing?"

"Nothing!"

"Nothing? Really. Didn't look like nothing. It looked very much like something."

"It was an accident, all right? Leave off it, Prongs." The voice is desperate as Remus pushes his way into their shared dorm, defenses already raised high by the growing argument he'd been hearing as he'd climbed the spiraling stairs.

"An accident?" cries James, tone affronted. "Padfoot, an accident is melting a cauldron because you added too many lacewing flies or throwing your shoes out the window when you're bladdered. It is not letting your dick fall into your best mate."

Remus freezes mid-step. Oh, fuck, he thinks before his mind abruptly crashes to a halt.

Sirius looks to be having the same problem, simply gaping at James, not offering any form of response. Remus can understand that. They hadn't necessarily been hiding it, but they also had, waiting until they knew it was something and not just a thing before broadcasting it to their other friends. But they'd not intended anyone to find out like this. They also hadn't realized James – the wanker – was there at all last night.

Remus, his brain seeming to kickstart again into some form of functionality, steps forward further into the dorm, allowing the door to close behind him. James angles accusing eyes his way.

"Do you have an explanation?" he demands, and Remus blinks at him.

"For what?"

James sputters. "For what?" he exclaims. "For what I witnessed last night in that corner of the corridor that wasn't nearly as dark as you two seemed to think it was."

Remus arches an eyebrow at his friend. "What did you see? Meticulous studying? Proper plotting? Ghosts? None of that is very unusual here, Prongs."

"No!" rages James, looking a little frantic now. "You two! Going at it like rabbits! When did that happen? And why didn't you tell me?"

Remus frowns at him. "That wasn't me," he says levelly, and it's James' turn to gape.

"What? Yes, it was. I saw you! Both of you. Sirius behind you and he was – " James stops very suddenly, making a noise like he's swallowed his tongue. But Remus isn't paying much attention because Sirius is now eyeing him curiously from over James' shoulder, head slightly tilted, gaze searching.

"Sorry, mate. Don't know what you're on about. I was in the library."

"I – but you – scars and hair – " James stops again, glancing between them before he fixes a narrowed look on Sirius, who seems to have caught up to Remus' game now, standing nonchalant in the middle of their dorm, looking back at their friend with an air of disinterest. "Well, it was definitely him with another bloke that looked an awful lot like you."

Remus shakes his head easily. "No, it wasn't," he denies, and James rounds on him, looking furious. "Sirius was in the greenhouse. Saw him on the map while I was in the library with the books. Dunno what he was doing there. Difficult to tell most times with him."

"Partaking in things better left unsaid," offers Sirius, leaning back, resting the space between his shoulders on the post of Remus' bed behind him. "You know, illicit things that are highly frowned upon by members of staff."

James turns to him sharply, pointing a damning finger in his direction. "But you said – "

"What did I say?"

"An accident!" bursts out James. "You all but admitted to it."

"Oh, that," comments Sirius, blowing a strand of hair from his eyes. "Yeah, I was having you on. You're too easy, mate."

James looks back and forth at them, a small whimper emerging. "But I saw – "

"Two blokes going at it in the corridors, we know," says Remus lightly. "But how closely did you really look, Prongs? Because I'm willing to bet you saw that, squeaked, and ran off again. How certain are you they weren't just people that looked like us?"

James scowls at him, and Remus smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's a large coincidence," he mutters.

"Coincidences happen."

James is staring at the floor now, hand reaching up to scratch at the back of his neck as he puzzles it out. "S'pose you could be right. Like you two would ever…must have seen something else. That's the best explanation. Makes…sense?" He turns, beginning to walk from the room, still mumbling to himself, trying to make the connections Remus and Sirius have put forth for him.

When he's gone, and the door is once more firmly closed, Remus flicks his wand at it, muffling all sound, before turning to look at Sirius. He's smirking proudly, and he beckons Remus closer, a request Remus doesn't hesitate to fill. His arms wrap around Remus' waist, pulling him more snugly against his body, grey eyes sweeping his face.

"That was brilliant, Moony," he praises with a laugh. "And I had no idea that twat was there last night. None at all. Guess the corridor wasn't the best idea, was it?"

Remus hums a little in agreement, taking in the softness that's now controlling Sirius' eyes. "Not as though we had much choice in the matter at the time, though, is it? Sort of took us both over before we could stop ourselves." Sirius chuckles, leaning his head forward until it connects, skin against skin. "Suppose it is time we tell them. Are you…ready for that?"

Sirius smiles, and Remus can feel it pulling over his own lips from their proximity. "For not having to hide away with you anymore? I am, yeah. 'Sides, we knew we'd only be able to keep it from them for so long. I just wanted to be sure…"

"Me too," picks up Remus, nodding a little. "So…so you're…sure, then? That this is what you want?"

Sirius pulls back just enough to really see Remus' face, his hands lifting, slotting over the curve of a stubble-rough jaw easily, thumbs brushing skin delicately. "Stop asking ridiculous questions, Remus," he says, and Remus laughs as Sirius practically beams, pulling him in for a kiss.

#wolfstarmicrofic #wolfstar #sirius black #remus lupin #sirius x remus #sirius/remus #wolfstar microfic #microfic #cw: gaslighting #my writing #my microfics

91 notes · View notes